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Councils attack migration figures Councils attack migration figures
(about 2 hours later)
A new method of calculating the number of migrants entering the UK has been challenged by local authority leaders. The number of migrants entering the UK has been underestimated, say local authority leaders who fear it will mean public services will be hit.
In a letter to the Treasury seen by the BBC, four leaders say the numbers in their areas have been underestimated, meaning public services will be hit. In a letter to the Treasury seen by the BBC, four leaders say a new method to calculate migrant numbers is flawed and shows "perverse results".
The system has "significant flaws" and shows "perverse results", they say. The Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures determine funding for councils.
The BBC's Claire Marshall says the government's statistics office acknowledges its methods for gathering migration data are weak. The BBC's Claire Marshall says the ONS acknowledges its methods for gathering the information are weak.
The revised international migration calculations by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) will be used to determine the funds needed by councils to provide essential services. Figures provided by the new system, which was introduced last month, suggest London's migrant population is 60,000 fewer than was previously thought.
Figures provided by the new system, which was introduced last month, suggest London's migrant population is 60,000 less than was previously thought.
But the council leaders of Slough, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham say this does not "remotely" represent the true picture on the ground.But the council leaders of Slough, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham say this does not "remotely" represent the true picture on the ground.
This loss of funding will put a considerable strain on our ability to provide the excellent services we pride ourselves on Cllr Merrick Cockell,Leader of Kensington and ChelseaThis loss of funding will put a considerable strain on our ability to provide the excellent services we pride ourselves on Cllr Merrick Cockell,Leader of Kensington and Chelsea
They have written a joint letter to Treasury Minister John Healey, urging him not to use the new figures to calculate council funding.They have written a joint letter to Treasury Minister John Healey, urging him not to use the new figures to calculate council funding.
Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh of Hammersmith and Fulham said his borough had seen a 550% increase in national insurance registrations by Eastern European nationals.Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh of Hammersmith and Fulham said his borough had seen a 550% increase in national insurance registrations by Eastern European nationals.
And Sir Simon Milton, leader of Westminster City Council, said his council had "anecdotal evidence to suggest that over 2,000 migrants are coming through Victoria coach station on a weekly basis".And Sir Simon Milton, leader of Westminster City Council, said his council had "anecdotal evidence to suggest that over 2,000 migrants are coming through Victoria coach station on a weekly basis".
"We are so concerned about the use of these figures for vital council funding that we are lobbying the Treasury in addition to commissioning our own surveys," he said."We are so concerned about the use of these figures for vital council funding that we are lobbying the Treasury in addition to commissioning our own surveys," he said.
'Suffering''Suffering'
Cllr Richard Stokes, leader of Slough Borough Council, said poor migration statistics were already leading to severe under-funding.Cllr Richard Stokes, leader of Slough Borough Council, said poor migration statistics were already leading to severe under-funding.
"Estimates have failed to keep pace with what is happening on the ground and public services are suffering as a result," he said."Estimates have failed to keep pace with what is happening on the ground and public services are suffering as a result," he said.
"The migrants that come to Slough are hard working and bring great benefit to the local economy but the council remains severely under-funded because of these poor statistics.""The migrants that come to Slough are hard working and bring great benefit to the local economy but the council remains severely under-funded because of these poor statistics."
Only this weekend, nearly 90 unaccompanied children from Eastern Europe arrived in Slough forcing the council to set up a special team and spend £150,000 helping them.
Cllr Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said he believed his community would suffer as a result of what he called the flawed statistics.Cllr Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said he believed his community would suffer as a result of what he called the flawed statistics.
"This loss of funding will put a considerable strain on our ability to provide the excellent services we pride ourselves on," he said."This loss of funding will put a considerable strain on our ability to provide the excellent services we pride ourselves on," he said.
Two thirds of local authorities across the country contacted by the BBC said they did not have faith in the official number of migrants in their area.Two thirds of local authorities across the country contacted by the BBC said they did not have faith in the official number of migrants in their area.
More than half said they would consider doing their own count to establish a more accurate picture.More than half said they would consider doing their own count to establish a more accurate picture.