ASIANS BOOST LONDON'S ECONOMY
(2 December 2003)

London's future economic and social success depends on its diverse ethnic mix. A report published by the Mayor of London highlights the changes in London's population and its increasingly diverse ethnic mix. It presents information about ethnic and religious groups in London and other districts from the 2001 Census. The report underpins the increasingly important role that London's diverse communities will have on the life of the capital, as providers of public services, as business entrepreneurs, and culturally.

Nationally nearly 9% of residents are from a Black of Minority Ethnic group. Of the areas selected for highlight in the report, 18 of the 22 metropolitan areas are above the national average. Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol and Sheffield are below the national average. Both Slough and Leciester have over 36% of residents who are from a Black or Minority Ethnic group. Birmingham, London and Luton also have over three times the national average. Of the shire counties; Oadby and Wigston, Pendle, Preston and Oxford have more Black and Minority Ethnic residents than the national average.

ASIAN POPULATION "HOT SPOTS"

The Mayor says: 'Places that are home to ethnic minority communities are also centres of international trade and business. As such they have a critical role to play in the UK's future economic success. They are also centres of cultural and creative activity, which draw visitors from across the globe.

'They bring positive benefits as innovators, entrepreneurs, and business and community leaders. For example, London has over 30,000 Asian businesses, employing more than 160,000 people and with an annual turnover of nearly £16 billion. At almost 30 percent, London would not be able to function without the contribution of its ethnically diverse communities. Whether in public services, business and cultural activity - from nursing to teaching, design to computing, Bollywood to music, this is a dynamic contribution.'

RANKING OF SOUTH ASIAN POPULATION "HOT SPOTS"

The Mayor noted that London's ethnic mix was a major attraction for Londoners: 'Time and time again, Londoners cite the capital's ethnic mix as one of the reason they choose to live here. Last week's MORI poll showed that nearly eight out of 10 think it is right to support events that celebrate London's diverse communities, such as Notting Hill Carnival, London Mela, St. Patrick's Day and New Year's Eve. Londoners also think that it is right that our public bodies also reflect the capital's population.'

The survey shows that 83 per cent think that it is important that London's police force reflects London's ethnic mix. Currently only six per cent of the police force is from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic group, compared to 40 per cent of London's population as a whole.

The Mayor said: 'At a time when good community relations and social cohesion are being challenged by racism and intolerance in many parts of Europe, it is vital we acknowledge this contribution, which has a critical role to play in the UK's future success.'

Click to download the DMAG Census 2001 Report (, 368KB).

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