Understanding bus use trends


Lone child migrants face uncertain adulthood


Y


OUNG PEOPLE WHO migrate to the UK alone face uncertain futures as they turn 18, says recent research


into the post-18 wellbeing outcomes of young people who migrated on their own to the UK as children from Afghanistan, Eritrea and Albania. “Some of these young people gain secure legal status,” Dr Elaine Chase explains. “But for others, becoming ‘adult’ involves a transition to ‘illegality’ and invisibility as they become no longer eligible for support services dedicated to ‘children’, and reach the end of their legal right to remain in the UK.” The study finds that securing a


permanent right to remain in the UK generally led to very positive outcomes for former lone child migrants in terms of health, education, social support and a sense of belonging and identity. But others experienced many years of confusion and uncertainty over their legal status with some disengaging from all statutory services (due to a fear of detention and forced removal) and living illegally in the UK or ‘disappearing’ to other parts of Europe. The uncertainties generated by the system, say researchers, often had a highly detrimental impact on young people’s mental and physical wellbeing. Moreover, those young people who on reaching the age of 18 were forcibly


removed to their countries of origin, usually attempted re-migration involving further extended periods of uncertainty and risk. “At present, children who migrate alone are in an ambiguous position as they become adults in the UK with no secure legal status,” Dr Chase argues. “We have a policy framework shaped by a state-centric view of migration and a bias towards returning these young people to their country of origin whenever this is possible, even though they have built strong ties and a sense of belonging here. “Our research,” she continues,


“has demonstrated a clear disconnect between policies determining what should happen to young people in this situation and young people’s own ideas of how they intend to build their futures and pursue their aspirations. We need to unsettle these policy assumptions and rethink the range of options open to migrant young people who are unable to return to their countries of origin and yet are denied the opportunity to make their lives in the UK.” n


i Contact Dr Elaine Chase, University


College London Email e.chase@ucl.ac.uk Web www.becomingadult.net; www.soas.ac.uk/ blogs/study/dear-habib-refugee-week/ESRC Grant Number ES/L009226/2


WINTER 2018 SOCIETY NOW 7


THE NUMBER OF free bus journeys taken by senior residents in the West Midlands fell by 21% between 2011 and 2016, says new research into changing bus use in West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). “Understanding these trends is an urgent priority since, in our ageing society, inclusive mobility becomes a crucial enabler of health and wellbeing,” says Dr Jens Kandt of University College London. “In view of this, the sharp decline in bus use among the 60- plus age group is concerning.” In a pilot demonstrator project, researchers analysed boarding patterns of nearly 400,000 anonymised passenger accounts registered under the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS). While some of the decline can be attributed to restrictions in eligibility to the scheme (due to an increase in state pension age for women from 2010 to 2016), the findings also indicate that reduced bus use occurs in contexts of higher social disadvantage. This, researchers believe, may result from greater poverty or ill- health among pensioners leading to fewer out-of-home activities. Further possible causes include structural changes in the transport system such as the extension of the Midlands metro, introduction of e-hailing services and an uptake of online shopping among senior residents.


The data linking methods used in this pilot could be reproduced in other UK regions, researchers conclude, providing local authorities and transport providers with information key to future public transport planning. n


i


Contact Dr Jens Kandt, University College London Email j.kandt@ucl.ac.uk Web www.cdrc.ac.uk Telephone 020 3108 3880 ESRC Grant Number ES/P010741/1


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