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The UK has experienced many waves of migration. Examples include:

• 1850s from Ireland, escaping famine
• 1940s onwards from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, escaping civil war and seeking employment
• 1950s from West Indies, for employment
• 1972 Ugandan Asians, escaping political persecution
• 2004 to 2016 from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, for employment.

Consequences for the UK

Migration has both cultural and economic consequences for a country, which may be positive and negative.

Positive effects

• Skills gaps are filled
• The economy benefits from hardworking people
• Public services benefit, eg workers in the NHS
• Government tax revenue increases
• Culture is enriched, eg world foods and festivals
• Immigrant groups boost the birth rate.

Negative effects

• Pressure is put on services, housing and infrastructure
• Friction may develop between the host population and migrant groups, eg locals may feel they have missed out on job opportunities because of increased competition
• Migrants tend to be located together in large city areas
• Migrant groups may not assimilate into local communities
• Gender imbalance, more men usually migrate.

Many people also leave the UK every year. People move for employment and educational opportunities. Some retire to a country such as Spain for a warmer and drier climate.