Third of workers were born abroad

Out of a total London workforce of 3.6 million, more than 1.3 million were born overseas.

The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, will raise new doubts about Gordon Brown's ability to deliver his pledge to provide "British jobs for British workers" and prompt renewed debate about Labour's immigration policy.

Business leaders will point to the figures as evidence of the contribution made by foreign workers to London's economic success, but others are likely to question whether the influx of skilled staff is deterring employers from hiring Britons.

The biggest provider of foreignborn labour is India, then Poland and Ireland.

Of the 20 countries with the largest number of workers living in London only six are in the European Union.

The statistics show that in six boroughs more than half the workforce is foreign-born.

Brent has the highest proportion of jobs filled by people from overseas - more than 59 per cent. Five others - Westminster, Ealing, Tower Hamlets, Harrow and Olympic borough Newham - also have more than 50 per cent.

Ealing has the highest number of foreign-born workers, with 80,000 compared to a total of 68,000 born in the UK. The lowest proportion of foreign workers is in Havering, with just over 10 per cent, while other outer London boroughs such as Bromley and Bexley also have low totals.

A separate ONS list of the top 20 overseas countries of birth of workers in London shows India, with 120,000, is making the biggest contribution. Poland, 73,000, is the next highest, followed by Ireland, Nigeria and Australia - all of which are providing London with at least 50,000 workers - and then Kenya, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana.

Only four more European countries, France, Italy, Germany and Spain, are among the 20 biggest contributors. This means despite EU expansion the largest flows are from outside Europe, from where there is no automatic right to work in the UK.

This fact is likely to be seized on by the Tories and other government critics who argue for tighter controls on migration and greater efforts to ensure existing unemployed residents, in areas such as east London, are brought back into work.

The figures, from last year, show an overall workforce in London of 3.6 million out of a total population of 7.5 million, which includes pensioners, children and the unemployed.

It is not clear how many of the workers born abroad have now acquired British nationality or were born as UK citizens.

Top 20 overseas countries of birth of workers in London (Jan - Dec 2007)

India - 120,000
Poland - 73,000
Ireland - 58,000
Nigeria - 54,000
Australia - 50,000
Kenya - 46,000
Bangladesh - 45,000
Sri Lanka - 44,000
Ghana - 42,000
South Africa - 41,000
Jamaica - 40,000
United States - 37,000
France - 34,000
Pakistan - 30,000
Italy - 27,000
Germany - 24,000
Brazil - 23,000
Spain - 21,000
Philippines - 20,000
New Zealand - 18,000

Source: Office for National Statistics