Councils seek £250m migration funds

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A new report by the cross-party Local Government Association (LGA) called for migration statistics to be overhauled and for a new £250 million-a-year fund to help local public services cope with the influx.

Council leaders said data such as GP registrations, National Insurance numbers and schools census records should be used to give a more accurate picture of the number of foreigners.

It comes after confusion over Government figures stoked a row over the accuracy of official data on migrant workers.

Some councils have complained that the National Census and other figures underestimate their migrant numbers - and because the numbers are used to calculate their finances, it can lead to a funding shortfall. For example, Westminster City Council claims at least 24,000 people were missed.

LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton said: "Official statistics on how many migrants are coming and where they are going are inadequate.

"The speed and scale of migration, combined with the shortcomings of official population figures, is placing pressure on funding for services like children's services and housing. This can lead to unnecessary tension and conflict."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: "The effects of migration can put a strain on public services, especially when there is a large movement into an area in a short space of time and we recognise that some individual local authorities are experiencing more challenges than others.

"It is important to remember that government has already given significant additional resources - an average 1% real terms increase per year over the next three which will deliver an increase of more than £960 million in the first year alone - to support councils. On top of that we have also announced £50 million to help local communities manage cohesion and promote integration."