Immigration in the United Kingdom

Immigration in the United Kingdom.

Immigration has shaped the history of the United Kingdom for decades, from the end of World War II, up to the present day. Different waves of migrants have influenced the country’s economy, society, and culture, each contributing to economic growth, cultural diversity, and social debate.

1. History of immigration in the UK (1948 onwards)

1. From 1948 to 1961

After World War II, the United Kingdom was experiencing a labour shortage. The country needed workers in industry, transport, NHS (National Health Service). It recruited people from Eastern Europe and in 1951, 162,339 workers were Polish-born, up from 44,642 in 1931. After the 1958 Hungarian revolution, around 21,000 Hungarian workers came to the UK.

In 1948, the British Nationality Act gave all Commonwealth citizens the right to settle and to work in the UK, without needing a visa. This authorization for mass immigration was made in order to fill the labour shortage for the new institutions such as the National Health Service and London Transport. The Commonwealth immigration went from 3,000 per year in 1953, to 47,000 in 1956, and 136,000 in 1961.

There was also a large immigration from India. Indeed, an approximated number of 60,000 Indian people came to the UK before 1955, after India’s Independence in 1947. In addition, following Uganda’s expulsion of Asians (people of Indian or Pakistani origin) under Idi Amin (1972), around 30,000 migrants moved to the UK.

1. Restrictions (from 1962 to 1973)

In 1962, the Commonwealth Immigrant Act was passed, due to public concerns that migrants should return to their countries of origin. This act made immigration more difficult, by requiring from migrants to have a job before entering the country, to have specialised skills or to fill the “labour needs”.

In addition, the 1968 Act further restricted entry, by strengthening the system of visas and work permits.

Shortly after, people from Uganda and Kenya, who had retained their British nationality from the 1948 Act, started arriving in the UK.

1.  From 1973 to 2025

As a new member of the EU, the United Kingdom was forced to accept the right to the free movement of workers. After the 2004 EU enlargement, the UK allowed immediate access for citizens of the new member states, including Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia. The Polish community then became one of the largest foreign-born groups.

The 2015 Migration Crisis led to discussions and controversy about immigration. Indeed, over 1.3 million asylum seekers came to the continent, 39,000 of which arrived in Britain. The country saw an increase of racism and anti-immigration rhetoric, and an ascent of the far-right political parties. The foreign-born population increased from about 5.3 million in 2004 to nearly 9.3 million in 2018, and most recently 10.7 million as of May 2025, 16% of the total population of the United Kingdom.

The 2016 referendum (“Take back control”) led to Brexit in 2020, with concerns like uncontrolled EU migration and loss of border sovereignty. The consequences of this decision in terms of immigration were multiple:

• Equal rules for EU and non-EU citizens,
• Points for skills, English, job offers in shortage sectors,
• Aim: favour skilled workers over low-skilled.

1. Impact of immigration

Economic: While migrants contribute taxes and fill labour shortages, some critics argue that immigration can place short-term pressure on housing and public services, especially in areas with already limited resources.

Social/cultural: Around 15% of the UK population is foreign-born, and over 1/3 of London population is foreign-born, making it a global city. There is a large cultural influence: food (curry, Caribbean cuisine), music, sport, literature, neighbourhoods (Brick Lane, Southall).

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