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| How has immigration changed in your area? | How has immigration changed in your area? |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| An estimated one in seven people living in the UK today was born outside the country. | An estimated one in seven people living in the UK today was born outside the country. |
| The majority of these are from outside Europe, often from countries with historical links to the UK. | The majority of these are from outside Europe, often from countries with historical links to the UK. |
| More than three million people - roughly a third of the immigrant population - come from Commonwealth countries such as India, Jamaica, Australia and Nigeria. | More than three million people - roughly a third of the immigrant population - come from Commonwealth countries such as India, Jamaica, Australia and Nigeria. |
| A further three-and-a-half million come from the European Union - a number which has grown more quickly since 2001 than the number from the rest of the world, as free movement has expanded to more countries. | A further three-and-a-half million come from the European Union - a number which has grown more quickly since 2001 than the number from the rest of the world, as free movement has expanded to more countries. |
| The figure for those born abroad will include some British citizens. A large number of people who come into the UK go on to become British citizens, often through extended residency or family links. | The figure for those born abroad will include some British citizens. A large number of people who come into the UK go on to become British citizens, often through extended residency or family links. |
| It will also include people born to British parents abroad such as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was born in the United States, and actress Emma Watson who was born in France. | It will also include people born to British parents abroad such as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was born in the United States, and actress Emma Watson who was born in France. |
| Northern Ireland does not produce estimates broken down by local authority, but it is estimated there that fewer than one in 10 of the population was born abroad. | Northern Ireland does not produce estimates broken down by local authority, but it is estimated there that fewer than one in 10 of the population was born abroad. |
| Changing demographics | Changing demographics |
| The growth of immigration from the EU has led to some towns with traditionally small pockets of migrants, in the Midlands and Wales for example, to experience a rapid change in the make-up of their population. | The growth of immigration from the EU has led to some towns with traditionally small pockets of migrants, in the Midlands and Wales for example, to experience a rapid change in the make-up of their population. |
| But while there have been increases across the country, a small number of areas - often rural or coastal - have seen a decrease in the immigrant community. | But while there have been increases across the country, a small number of areas - often rural or coastal - have seen a decrease in the immigrant community. |
| After Enoch Powell's infamous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968, UK politicians who talked about immigration were likely to be accused of "playing the race card". | After Enoch Powell's infamous Rivers of Blood speech in 1968, UK politicians who talked about immigration were likely to be accused of "playing the race card". |
| The topic was barely discussed for over three decades. | The topic was barely discussed for over three decades. |
| Then, in 2004, without any serious public debate, Tony Blair's Labour government agreed to allow citizens from new members of the European Union to come to Britain without restriction. | Then, in 2004, without any serious public debate, Tony Blair's Labour government agreed to allow citizens from new members of the European Union to come to Britain without restriction. |
| Millions of Poles and others did just that, settling in every part of the country, including areas unused to immigration. | Millions of Poles and others did just that, settling in every part of the country, including areas unused to immigration. |
| Their arrival was a shock to many communities, leading some to worry about the impact on public services and their traditional way of life. | Their arrival was a shock to many communities, leading some to worry about the impact on public services and their traditional way of life. |
| Immigration became the most pressing political issue with demands to cut the numbers. Demands for Brexit were, in part, driven by a sense the UK had lost control of its borders. | Immigration became the most pressing political issue with demands to cut the numbers. Demands for Brexit were, in part, driven by a sense the UK had lost control of its borders. |
| However, the referendum also inspired a national conversation about the pros and cons of immigration and, with many EU migrants integrating into local neighbourhoods, attitudes have shifted. | However, the referendum also inspired a national conversation about the pros and cons of immigration and, with many EU migrants integrating into local neighbourhoods, attitudes have shifted. |
| Having been one of the most negative about immigration in 2011, now the UK emerges as one of the most positive about the benefits foreign arrivals have brought to Britain. | Having been one of the most negative about immigration in 2011, now the UK emerges as one of the most positive about the benefits foreign arrivals have brought to Britain. |
| A report by the independent government adviser on migration has said that EU migrants tend to be net contributors to public services. It also reported that they have a small impact on lowering wages and no conclusive impact on house prices. | A report by the independent government adviser on migration has said that EU migrants tend to be net contributors to public services. It also reported that they have a small impact on lowering wages and no conclusive impact on house prices. |
| Once the UK leaves the EU, free movement will stop - but the government has pledged to introduce a new "Australian-style points-based system" which it says will be designed to attract and retain the most highly skilled workers that the UK needs. | Once the UK leaves the EU, free movement will stop - but the government has pledged to introduce a new "Australian-style points-based system" which it says will be designed to attract and retain the most highly skilled workers that the UK needs. |
| Work | Work |
| Migrants represent just over 15% of the UK's workforce. | Migrants represent just over 15% of the UK's workforce. |
| They are spread out across different sectors and skill levels, but some industries - such as construction, manufacturing and hospitality - have become more reliant on migrants, according to the University of Oxford's Migration Observatory. | |
| The NHS in England is a key public service that has long relied on foreign doctors, nurses, health professionals and support staff, such as porters and cleaners. | The NHS in England is a key public service that has long relied on foreign doctors, nurses, health professionals and support staff, such as porters and cleaners. |
| Healthcare experts have long warned of the impact on filling vacancies in both hospitals and care homes if access to foreign labour markets is restricted. | Healthcare experts have long warned of the impact on filling vacancies in both hospitals and care homes if access to foreign labour markets is restricted. |
| The government says it is drawing up plans to make it easier and cheaper for migrants to come and work in the NHS. | The government says it is drawing up plans to make it easier and cheaper for migrants to come and work in the NHS. |
| Asylum | Asylum |
| Anyone can request asylum in the UK - but first they have to reach the island. | Anyone can request asylum in the UK - but first they have to reach the island. |
| In 2018, the latest year for statistics, 26,441 did so, although only a third of asylum seekers are generally granted refugee status at first (they can appeal against the decision in court). | In 2018, the latest year for statistics, 26,441 did so, although only a third of asylum seekers are generally granted refugee status at first (they can appeal against the decision in court). |
| Until a decision is made, they are supported by the government with housing and a small allowance. | Until a decision is made, they are supported by the government with housing and a small allowance. |
| Concerns over unequal distribution of asylum seekers have been raised in the past, with one Home Affairs Select Committee report saying there has been "a clustering of asylum seekers in some of the most deprived parts of the country". | Concerns over unequal distribution of asylum seekers have been raised in the past, with one Home Affairs Select Committee report saying there has been "a clustering of asylum seekers in some of the most deprived parts of the country". |
| Alongside their international obligations to asylum seekers, local authorities have also played a key part in housing the 20,000 Syrian refugees the UK promised to take. | Alongside their international obligations to asylum seekers, local authorities have also played a key part in housing the 20,000 Syrian refugees the UK promised to take. |
| On this there has been greater "equitable distribution" with two-thirds of English local authorities and every council in Scotland taking at least one refugee. | On this there has been greater "equitable distribution" with two-thirds of English local authorities and every council in Scotland taking at least one refugee. |
| Some of the data in this article is drawn from BBC Briefing, a mini-series of downloadable in-depth guides to the big issues in the news, with input from academics, researchers and journalists. It is the BBC's response to audiences demanding better explanation of the facts behind the headlines. | Some of the data in this article is drawn from BBC Briefing, a mini-series of downloadable in-depth guides to the big issues in the news, with input from academics, researchers and journalists. It is the BBC's response to audiences demanding better explanation of the facts behind the headlines. |