by Dawn E Denmar

Created on: December 31, 2009   Last Updated: January 17, 2010

Immigration has affected the UK in many different ways, however the trend over the past few years is for many migrants, particularly from the EU bloc, to move back to their home countries. 

A brief history of some of the migration into the UK follows:

* Migration to the UK from Roman Times to the mid 19th Century

Whilst, it is not a fact that is universally recognised, immigration has affected the UK since the date of the Roman invasions.  From Romans, to Vikings to Normans, the UK was conquered and, as a result, affected by immigration from its conqueror nations. 

Moving on to more recent times, migration to the UK, particularly from Europe, was continually occurring from the year 1500AD as there were no fixed borders at that time.  Migrant trading communities were established, particularly in the London Docklands area, Protestant and Catholic refugees found homes in a more tolerant British society, Jews started to migrate to the UK in larger numbers and, of course, the Irish workers migrated into Britain for work opportunities. 

Immigration into the United Kingdom certainly snowballed from the late 18th Century as a result of the industrial Revolution, as Britain was perceived to be a country of opportunity to economic migrants.

The potato famine in Ireland also caused a great influx of Irish migrants from the mid 19th Century onwards, many of whom stayed on as the UK had become more accepting of the Catholic faith. 

The influx of migrants to the United Kingdom during earlier years certainly created more diverse communities within the United KIngdom.  Italian migrants introduced foods such as ice cream into the British culture, whereas German and Jewish migrants also introduced different aspects to the British life.  A great deal of British tailoring expertise was a result of Jewish communities settling within the United Kingdom.

* Migration to the UK from the 20th Century Onwards

From the early 20th Century, the British became more xenophobic in outlook due to decreased industrialisation and competition for work and, of course, the World Wars.  Borders were established from 1905 onwards and immigration controls put in place. 

World War II changed everything, however, as refugees from Europe, once more, began to pour into the United Kingdom.  The principal migrants being Jews, Irish, Italians, Asians and West Indians.

Over time, since larger influxes of migrants, the

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