Keeping Up with the Khans: New documentary series highlights the impact of immigration in Sheffield

Expect Page Hall to be far removed from the glitz and glamour of Keeping Up with the Kardashians
New home: Omar fled Sudan and now lives in Sheffield
Channel 4 / Richard Ansett
Laura Rutkowski4 February 2016

Due to the current situation with Syrian refugees, Keeping Up with the Khans arrives during a controversial time for politics and global affairs.

Coming from the makers of Benefits Street and Immigration Street, the series was filmed across 15 months in Page Hall, Sheffield and follows the lives of new migrants to Britain.

Starting with refugees, viewers will additionally be introduced to Roma migrants and Pakistani and White British communities in consecutive episodes.

Page Hall used to house a mainly white working class community. During the 60s and 70s, migrants from the Pakistani controlled area of Kashmir arrived and prospered there with the ownership of properties, shops, and restaurants.

When 1,500 Roma migrants from Slovakia arrive in Page Hall, their aim is to match or outdo the established Pakistani community. Hence, the desire to “keep up” with the Khans.

Some of the white residents and already settled immigrants welcome these new arrivals and admire their willingness to pursue a better life.

The other viewpoint can be summated by white resident Bert’s opinion that migrants are “coming because there’s an easy life for them.” Landlord Steve agrees: “If I were them, I’d be straight over here. Wouldn’t you?”

Much like the issue of immigration itself, Keeping Up with the Khans is bound to polarise its viewers from the outset. Haider from Lebanon, who fled to seek asylum, finds it difficult to locate the UK on a world map.

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1/29

Channel 4, 9pm

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