The Culture Mix

3,700,000 people - 6.5% of the British population are from ethnic minorities, with half of those born in the UK. The average age of members of the UK minority ethnic population is 27.

Timeline: Immigration - the last 200 years ~ Immigration ~ Famous Refugees ~ Population Concentrations ~ Education ~ Cultural Impact ~ Religion

Timeline: Immigration - the last 200 years

19th Century

• Jewish arrivals fleeing persecution in Russia and Poland
• Irish settlers escaping poverty
• Trade brings Indian and Chinese people to main ports

1930s

• Refugees from Nazi oppression arrive in the UK

1948

• The boat Windrush brings 492 Jamaicans to the UK - thousands more follow
  
• Immigration from Caribbean encouraged to help rebuild post-war Britain
  

1950s and 60s

• Settlers from other new Commonwealth nations arrive - India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

1970s

• East African Asians and Vietnamese arrive
  

1980s

• African community expands
  
• Refugees arrive from Eastern Europe - Romania and former Yugoslavia

Immigration

1981 Nationality Act and other legislation in 1962, 1968 and 1971 restricts immigration into the UK. In 1999 55,000 people were granted British citizenship and applications for asylum reached 71,000.

Famous Refugees

• Joseph Conrad - Writer - came to Britain having experienced internal exile in Russia
• Sigmund Freud - Father of psychoanalysis - fled Vienna in June 1938 after Nazi takeover in Austria
• Manubhai Madhvani - Businessman - refugee from Uganda in 1972
• Karl Marx - Political theorist - expelled from Paris in 1849
• Piet Mondrian - Artist - fled Paris in 1938 before the Second World War
• Kirit and Meena Patak - Manufacturers - arrived in the UK in 1956 after persecution in Kenya
• Mario Stanic - Footballer - persecuted during the Bosnian War

Population Concentrations

Three fifths of UK minority ethnic population live in cities - four in ten in London.
Nearly 200 languages are spoken across London.

Education

'Help students explore and reflect on the way cultures are represented in the stories and poems ... and how language relates to national, regional and cultural identities.' (From the National Curriculum for English)

7% of the UK school population learn English as an additional language to their home language.

In 1998 91% of Indian and 82% of black 16-year-olds were in full-time education compared with 67% of white 16-year-olds

12% of full-time students aged 16-25 are young Asian and black people. They are only 8% of this age group.

Cultural Impact

Members of ethnic minorities play a prominent role in all aspects of British cultural life:

• Yasmin Alibhai-Brown journalist/author
• Ursula Owen writer/co-founder of Virago Press
• Anish Kapoor artist winner of 1991 Turner Prize
• Rachel Weisz actress
• Zaha Hadid architect
• Vanessa Mae violinist
• Carlos Acosta principal dancer, Royal Ballet
• Alek Wek model
• Trevor Phillips broadcaster and politician
• Ozwald Boateng clothes designer
• Shami Ahmed clothing manufacturer
• Denise Lewis heptathlete
• Sol Campbell footballer
• Yvonne Brewster artistic director Talawa Theatre Company

Religion

"Faith organizations play a key role in our communities - providing leadership and bringing people from different faiths and cultures together. They help find ways to enhance understanding and develop practical solutions including new social enterprises, jobs and learning opportunities."

--Home Office Minister Paul Goggins, February 14, 2006

The United Kingdom is a multifaith society in which everyone has the right to religious freedom.

Although religious practice has changed with a general move away from attending places or worship, religion still occupies an important role in defining many people’s lives. Britain still enjoys freedom of worship, and many religions are practiced. The main faiths are Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, and Buddhist.

Religious practice cuts across ethnic groups and ethnic groups are multi-religious. Indians, for example, may be Sikhs, Hindus, Muslim, Christian or other faith. Also, a fifth of all state schools in England are run by religious faiths.

For the first time, Census 2001 asked a voluntary question for people to identify their religion. During the census there was an internet campaign encouraging people to identify their religion as "Jedi Knight". Some 390,000 did so.

Many faiths now co-operate to promote mutual understanding as well as tackle issues such a racism and disadvantage. Examples include the Council of Christian and Jews, the Inter-Faith Network, Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Maimonides Foundation (Islamic-Jewish) and the Inner Cities Religious Council, which brings together leading members of the Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh faiths.

The diversity of religious faiths is reflected in religious broadcasting on radio and television. A number of local authorities have appointed officers to liase specifically with the faith communities.

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The UK
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The Culture Mix
The Royal Family
Nature
Science & Technology
Population Density
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