Nearly a million people in Britain cannot speak English fluently, with over 130,000 unable to speak a word of the language native to the British Isles. According to the 2021 UK Census, approximately 10 percent of the United Kingdom’s foreign-born population—equivalent to 932,208 people — face challenges in speaking English.
The data provided by the UK Statistics Authority to the Conservative Party shows that 8.6 percent, or 794,332 people, have limited English skills, and 1.4 percent, or 137,876 individuals, cannot speak the language at all. Consequently, just over half of migrants aged 16 and above reported that English is their primary language, and only 38.4 percent state they can speak English well.
The UK’s population reached 67.6 million in mid-2022 and is projected to rise to 72.5 million by 2032. Net migration is expected to be around 631,000 this year, a decrease from the recent high of 906,000.
Criticism is mounting against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government regarding migration policy management. Subsequently, the government has dismissed allegations of inefficacy in addressing people smuggling across the Channel. The ruling Labour Party continues to resist calls to implement a migration cap.
Meanwhile, some estimate that as many as one in twelve residents of London, Britain’s largest city, are illegal immigrants.
Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.
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