Summary
The town of Oldham has seen its population grow due to immigration, with nearly one in five residents born outside the UK. While some residents express concerns about the impact of immigration on services like health care and housing, others recognize the essential role that foreign workers play in social care and other vital sectors.
Key Facts
- Oldham's population grew faster than average between 2011 and 2021, and 17.8% of residents were born outside the UK.
- John and John, longtime road repair workers in Oldham, feel the town has become overly crowded, affecting access to services like healthcare.
- Hussein, a local shop owner originally from Pakistan, is frustrated with rising immigration and voted for Brexit due to concerns about job availability.
- Michelle Delaney runs a charity in Oldham and is worried about a potential shortage of healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors.
- Violet Gutu's care hub in Oldham employs 99% foreign workers, essential for supporting people with disabilities and mental health issues.
- Violet and Elliot, directors at Pennine Social Care, stress the importance of foreign workers in providing care and support.
