Moving to the UK has become cheaper for migrants

July 08 2009 by Mark Johnstone

London's falling cost of living suits UK immigration

Last year, London was ranked the third most expensive city for expats. Its ranking in terms of the cost of living for foreigners who move to the UK has now fallen to 16th in the annual Mercer survey.

The survey looks at the cost of living in 143 cities across the world and the figures are used to help multinational firms decide how much to pay employees who have a UK work visa and in other countries using work visas.

Other UK cities also fell down the list, showing they are becoming cheaper and more attractive for foreigners who wish to live and work in the UK. Birmingham was listed at 66th most expensive city last year and has since fallen to 125th place this year, while Glasgow has seen its ranking fall from 69th to 129th.

Nathalie Constantin-Métral, senior Mercer researcher, says that the falling value of the UK pound has added to the UK’s drop down the list. She explains, “the cost of expatriate programmes is heavily influenced by currency fluctuations and inflation rates. Keeping track of the change in factors that dictate expatriate cost of living and housing allowances is essential.”

The survey also showed that people from the UK who move to Australia, the US and Canada continue to experience cheaper living costs and an enhanced quality of life.

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