Plans for migrant information packs have been dismissed as nothing new, by the Local Government Association.

Responding to a Commission on Integration and Cohesion review, communities secretary, Hazel Blears, set out policies to help manage migration, including specialist cohesion teams, local authority ‘twinning', and new guidance for councils on the information packs, which will be produced by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) Click here to read the story.

Darra Singh, Ealing LBC chief executive and chairman of the former Commission on Integration and Cohesion, said the welcome pack would be a ‘crucial' way in which local councils could help new migrants settle into Britain.

But Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the LGA, said many councils were already providing ‘welcome packs' to migrants, including advice on refuse collection, how to report a crime, how to secure nursery places, and health advice.

He said the Government should be focusing on providing official population statistics to ensure the correct funding for public services reached the right places after recent years of under funding due to incorrect population figures.

‘Evidence clearly demonstrates that migration is benefiting the country, generating in total over £40bn every year,' said Sir Simon.

‘The problem is that the money which is being generated isn't necessarily finding its way back down to the local level. Official statistics on how many migrants are coming and where they are going are inadequate.'

He urged the Government to use alternative sources of information, such as GP registrations and National Insurance numbers, to gain a clearer picture of migrant movements.

Brian Wilson, migration programme manager at the IDeA, said his body had produced a good practice template, which local authorities could adapt to their areas.