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Multicultural Britain

Chicken tikka masala - a curry created in Britain. © Getty Images

Chicken tikka masala - the traditional British curry was created in the UK by Asian migrants to cater for Western palates unaccustomed to such exotic flavours.

Britain is a multicultural nation of around 60.6 million people from different racial, religious and cultural backgrounds.

Find out some facts and figures about the UK population on the National Statistics website.

Why is Britain so diverse?

Different communities have settled in the UK and, for centuries, have left their own legacies. Today, approximately 4.6 million people -or 7.9 per cent of the population - are from a minority ethnic group according to the 2001 Census. Some groups who have settled in the UK since the first millennium include:

  • the Celts. They lived in Britain from the first millennium BC but were pushed into Scotland, Wales and Cornwall after the Roman invasion
  • many Romans, who settled in the UK after the successful Roman invasions. They also brought the first black people to Britain
  • settlers from Northern Europe. These include the Danes, Angles and Saxons who came to the UK as Roman authority was collapsing
  • Jewish settlers started to arrive after 1066, gypsies came in the 16th century, and Muslims from the 18th century onwards
  • after the collapse of the British Empire, the UK attracted immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh in the 1960s - 1970s and from the Caribbean in 1940s and 50s
  • political and religious refugees and asylum seekers are frequently granted refuge in the UK today
  • the expansion of the European Union has seen a number of eastern Europeans come to the UK in recent years.

Related links:

BBC History - British History

Tackling discrimination

The British Government has put a number of laws in place to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally. UK anti-discrimination laws are based on:

  • race
  • disability
  • gender
  • sexual orientation
  • religion and belief
  • age

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)- formed in October 2007 - champions equality and human rights for all, irrespective of age, sexual orientation, religion, race or gender.

It has taken over the responsibilities of 3 organisations - the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC).

The EHRC has responsibility for England, Scotland and Wales while the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland performs the same role in Northern Ireland.

Related link:

First Chinese Mayor for Redbridge Borough (PDF, 32 KB)

Religion

Britain is a multi-faith society where everyone has the freedom to practice their own religion. According to the 2001 Census, the main faiths in the UK are:

  • Christianity - 71.6 per cent of the population see themselves as practicing Christans
  • Islam - 2.7 per cent
  • Hinduism - 1.5 per cent
  • Sikhism - 0.6 per cent
  • Judaism - 0.5 per cent
  • Buddhism - 0.3 per cent

Religious diversity can be found in many different areas of life in the UK. For example, a number of state schools are run by religious faith groups, a selection of TV, radio, print publications and websites are dedicated to specific faiths, and a range of faith-based political parties such as the Islamic Party of Britain and Operation Christian Vote campaign in local elections.

Most local authorities in Britain also have special officers who liaise with faith groups in the community. Their main task involves building a wider awareness and understanding of the religious communities in the area.

Related links:

National Statistics Online - Religious groups in Britain
BBC Religion and Ethics - Christianity
Muslim Council of Britain
Hindu Council UK
Popular Jewish websites 
The Buddhist Society
Sikhs in Britain

Cultural life

Everything in modern Britain - from music and fashion to food and language - has been shaped by different ethnic communities, cultures and social groups.

The annual events calendar in the UK is packed with cultural, social and religious festivals reflecting multicultural Britain. Black History Month in October, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Month in February and Ramadan in the autumn are just a few of the many examples.

Ethnic cuisine has become part of the British diet with a wide variety of different dishes and spices readily available in restaurants and supermarkets.

Britain's urban youngsters set the trend worldwide for their style in clothes, language and music - mostly based on a unique combination of ethnic styles.

Television and radio have moved towards including a minority ethnic dimension in both mainstream and specialist programming. A range of ethnic minority publications are also published in Britain, from daily newspapers to magazines and trade journals.

Sports men and women from minority ethnic groups have contributed to Britain's sporting success with many people achieving world class and Olympic status in sports like football, cricket, boxing and athletics.

Related links:

Black UK Online
Asian Britain - BBC
Dimsum - British Chinese community
Gay Britain network