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Capital lures 1.8m from abroad
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent5 Jan 2009
ALMOST 1.8 million people have moved to London from abroad over the last decade.
Research by the Bank of Scotland also showed that between 1998 and 2007 nearly two million people moved out of the capital to other parts of Britain, while 1.6 million moved to it. This two million was equivalent to 26 per cent of the city's population in 2007.
Births, deaths and migration meant that London's population rose by 370,000 over the 10-year period.
Meanwhile, a leading economist today predicted that many City workers will head abroad to find jobs during the recession.
John Philpott, chief economist at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said: "You are likely to see financial sector workers who have lost their jobs moving to Dubai or Indonesia, especially if they are young and without families."
Reader views (15)
Casper Slides says " As long as they (foreigners) are working and paying taxes I don't see that this is a problem".
Think about what you're saying, man. How MANY - in your humble opinion - aren't a "problem"? ...A million? Two million? Ten million? Fifty million? Don't you recognise that we live in a finite world?
We're FULL UP.
Also, what about little matters like the preservation of our culture and way of life, social cohesion, and security?
- Croyboy, Croydon, 07/01/2009 08:20
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Ciro, of London. Still some way to go until you get your spelling correct, old boy.
- Fred, Horsham, 06/01/2009 09:56
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Ghetto's 'R' us
- Roger, Surrey, 06/01/2009 09:56
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What is not made clear here is that immigrants moving in caused many Londoners to vote with their feet.
It is not a case (as reported in much of the media) of Londoners moving out and the void being replaced by immigrants.
- Ex.Londoner, Sunny Essex., 05/01/2009 22:24
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Crash Gordon has failed to help local people. He has done everything to win votes through foreigners and taxes from local people. He will never win an election here. Communism will not survive here in Britain I think.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 05/01/2009 17:59
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Ciro - lighten up! It is true that few people speak English in London. Perhaps they can speak English, but they don't do so. It is wrong that English is not spoken by foreigners in London.
- Anthony, London, 05/01/2009 17:25
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Hey, I've got a great idea: instead of concreting over even more of our open spaces for the housing that we supposedly "need" in London, how about sending back a million-odd foreigners? ...Or at the very least the 400,000 or so illegals calculated to be in the capital. Result? Housing problem solved, looming energy crisis reduced or eliminated, more room on the roads, and less crowded public transport. Win, win, and win, as far as I can see.
Bring it on!
- Croyboy, Croydon, 05/01/2009 17:25
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As long as they are working and paying taxes I don't see that this is a problem. Sadly I fear that a great majority of them will be living on benefits.
- Casper Slides, France at the moment, 05/01/2009 16:14
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Nu Labor has made so many mistakes but getting these people here and all the costs it brings to us taxpayers... it was stupid!
- Ally, London, 05/01/2009 15:55
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As a foreigner living in London I disagree with Steve when he says that so few people speak English in London.
Being a foreigner who has lived in London for 26 years, I can say that in my experience I find his comment incorrect and a little sad too. Poor Steve, he must be feeling rather isolated if he thinks that not many of us can read his comment and that he is waisting his time expressing his view. Unlike him, I am confident that many foreigners are able to read his comment. So, thank you Steve for expressing your opinion as this gives us an opportunity for discussion and talk.
Also, I hope that the City workers who will head abroad to find jobs during the recession will find people who are more open and accepting than Steve.
Ciro, London
- Ciro, London, 05/01/2009 14:58
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Well isn't that just wonderful! I note that the same number moved out, probably ethnic English wanting to live with their own kind. Meanwhile all our beautiful countryside will disappear by the end of the century to provide room for this lot.
- Fred, Horsham, 05/01/2009 14:18
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And there are no jobs for Uni graduates, trains and tube/buses are overflowing. Roads gridlocked and we are going to have to build (many)more schools. Ahh the benefit of uncontrolled mass immigration. Its going to get (a lot) worse.
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 05/01/2009 13:34
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So that's why all the people on the BBC's silly property shows are foreign.
- Fred, London UK, 05/01/2009 13:07
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So what do we do with them now?
- Georgie, Islington, London, 05/01/2009 12:05
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That will explain why so few people speak English in London these days.In fact I'd be surprised if any of you can read this comment?Actually I'm probably wasting my time typing this.
- Steve, London, 05/01/2009 11:17
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