Nicola Mai Boeken

Migration has become a pivotal issue in political and media discussions across Britain and Europe, often clouded by confusion and myth. This report aims to foster a more informed public debate and develop effective, just policies through an in-depth examination of migration's driving forces and governance strategies. Drawing from a year-long joint research project by the Fabian Society and Oxfam, it explores the experiences of Albanian migrants, the poorest in Europe, in the UK and the repercussions for their home country, including remittances and human capital loss. By amplifying the voices of migrants, typically absent in this discourse, the report uncovers the genuine motivations behind migration. It advocates for a holistic approach that connects development policy with domestic entry and integration policies. The report presents several policy recommendations, asserting that the binary choice of allowing or halting migration is misleading. Migration is an ongoing reality affecting both developed and developing nations. The key lies in governance—either facilitating legal migration for all skill levels or allowing illegal migration to persist, often exploited by criminal networks. Ultimately, the report emphasizes that effective governance can enhance benefits for both host societies and countries of origin while managing migration's costs.