IMMIGRANTS

in the UK send millions of pounds to their home countries every year, but the amount is expected to decline sharply due to coronavirus.

The World Bank estimates that “remittances” sent abroad from the UK amounted to around £8.5m in 2018 - the latest figures available.

These are transfers of money from residents of one country to another, and are often associated with migrants sending money to families and communities.

Studies have shown that these remittances alleviate poverty in lower- and middle-income countries, improve nutritional outcomes, are associated with higher spending on education, and reduce child labour in disadvantaged households.

The true amount sent is likely even higher, as the estimates don’t include unofficial transfers, such as money given to friends and family members while visiting the UK.

The United Nations estimated more than 200 million migrant workers globally sent money back home in 2018, to nearly one billion people.

Workers in the United States sent the highest amount home to their families, with an estimated £55m transferred out of the country.

That was followed by migrants in the United Arab Emirates (£36m) and Saudi Arabia (£36m).

Within the EU, migrants in Switzerland sent home an estimated £22m, those in Germany an estimated £20m and in France, £12m.

However, the World Bank is predicting a drop in global remittances of around 20% in 2020 because of the impact of coronavirus.

The projected decrease, which would be the sharpest decline in recent history, is largely due to a fall in the wages and employment of migrant workers, who tend to be more vulnerable to loss of employment and wages during an economic crisis in a host country.

World Bank Group President David Malpass said: “Remittances are a vital source of income for developing countries.

“The ongoing economic recession caused by Covid-19 is taking a severe toll on the ability to send money home and makes it all the more vital that we shorten the time to recovery for advanced economies.

“Remittances help families afford food, healthcare, and basic needs. As the World

Bank Group implements fast, broad action to support countries, we are working to keep remittance channels open and safeguard the poorest communities’ access to these most basic needs.”