4B.7

• Internal migration

  • Each year 2.5m people move around the UK
  • One of the highest internal migration rates in Europe
  • Hotspot in south east and London
  • There are many variables that cause this to happen
• Flow in

  • Births - 792,400 in 2013
  • Immigration - 503,700 in 2013
• Flow out

  • Deaths - 580,300 in 2013
  • Emigrants - 320,400 in 2013
• Temporary inflow and outflow

  +5,200 in 2023
• Population change

  (births - deaths) +/- (immigrants - migrants) +/- (temporary inflow - temporary outflow)
• London as a dynamic population

  • In 2013 London had the largest natural increase (40% of the UK's increase)
  • Net international migration (43% of UK's total)
  • However, London had the greatest outward internal migration
  • Deficit of 100,000 people
• 1960s 'White Flight'

  • Movement of middle-class white families from cities such as London or New York for more spacious suburbs
  • Underlying racism
  • Those in the city left the outer suburbs when they could afford property in sub-urbanised villages to move away from the city
  • A re-shuffling occurred as socio-economically well off migrant communities left inner-city areas for outer suburbs where the white middle-class had left
  • This spiralled as white people left the outer suburbs to not live with migrants
• Why people leave London

  • Middle and retirement age people

  1. Move to South East (more space for family and children)
  2. Move to South West (retirement)
  3. National trend causing London to become a younger city

  • Rapidly rising property prices since 2000

  1. Given many older age groups valuable financial assets
  2. Can sell their small flat/house in London and buy a large house outside the city
• Results of internal migration

  • Uneven demographic and cultural patterns
  • A capital city with an increasing population of young professionals, immigrant and ethnic communities
  • In 2011 Census, Newham in East London was the first borough to register a minority white population
  • Now includes Redbridge, Harrow and Brent
  • Votes for Brexit were influenced by perceived changes to culture and society
• Migration from the Indian subcontinent

  • Most immigrants from the Indian subcontinent arrived in the 1950s and 60s
  • Wide range of backgrounds, including:
  • Sikhs from Punjab
  • Muslims from Pakistan and Bangladesh
  • Hindus from western India
  • Many experienced discrimination, including in jobs and housing
  • Around 80% of White British people thought there were too may immigrants in the 1950s
• Migration from the West Indies (Windrush Generation)


  • British Citizens
  • 1948-70 500,000 came to UK
  • Many recruited due to labour shortages, specifically NHS and public transport
  • Some long-term residents of the UK were threatened with deportation to the West Indies, causing a scandal
• Post-colonial migration


  • Large-scale immigration from former British colonies promoted by the government
  • Migrants given rights to settle in the UK
  • Particular job vacancies (such as NHS) sponsored
  • Migrants could apply for family to join them
  • Many of these migrants experienced discrimination
  • Their grandchildren still live in areas of deprivation
• Impacts of globalisation

  • 'Cool Britania' - late 90s
  • The term branded the attraction of the UK for its global links to companies and its global culture
  • The UK has become a destination of choice for many migrants
  • Many migrants are London based, but large numbers have spread throughout the country
  • Influencing local cultures, languages and religions
• Results of globalisation

  • Many TNCs encourage immigration from USA, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand to work in the knowledge economy. Their demand for specific skills can only be satisfied by overseas recruitment
  • After 1992, the 'Maastricht Agreement' allowed free movement of workers between EU member states
  • Polish migrants now represent the UK's largest ever inward migration - over 600,000 Poles have arrived in the UK since 2004
  • Younger international migrants have helped to combat an ageing UK work force
• Migrants in rural areas (Boston, Lincolnshire)

  • Fertile soils make it the UK's most productive areas for growing vegetables
  • Vegetable picking is done largely by Eastern Europeans for low wages
  • Boston population increased by 479% between 2001-2011
  • Some locals welcome migrants, but others haven't
  • Boston's Latvian community was suffering abuse from contractors