Polish case study

Key issues

The report presents the outcomes of a public meeting held with Polish new migrants, 9 July 2006 organised by the Polish Centre with statutory agencies to inform new migrants about their rights and responsibilities. The key issues raised are outlined, which include housing, benefits, health, advice, employment, registering for work, crime and the law, and driving. Copies of leaflets distributed at the meeting are reproduced in the report, and agreed actions are listed. The report also briefly presents the context of a rise in migration from Poland since EU enlargement, including some data on numbers registering for work in Leeds, telephone translation and National Insurance numbers issued. Observations based on the work with the new Polish community include the need for information, desire to learn English, family migration and reliance on relatives for childcare.