A new survey, commissioned by BBC Asian Network, finds an Asian population happy with life in Britain but with some major caveats concerning Asian and British identity. Over a third (38%) of British Asians say they feel only a little/not at all British. Two thirds of Asians (59%) say they feel completely/a lot British, compared to 73% of White people.

Asians were almost evenly split over whether they are treated as British by the white UK population. 50% of Asians felt that white people treat them as British, compared to 47% of Asians who felt that white people did not treat them as British. 84% of Asians felt they were satisfied with life in Britain with 6% Asians not satisfied.

• Over a third of British Asians surveyed said they don’t feel British.
• Nearly half of UK Asians feel they aren’t treated as British by the ‘White’ UK public.
• Nearly half of UK Asians believe it’s too easy for immigrants to settle in Britain.
• Only half of UK Asians feel that Britain offers more opportunity than South Asian countries.
• A third of British Asians think you need to be a “Coconut”* to get on in Britain.
• Three quarters of Asians feel their culture is diluted by living in Britain.
• Almost 85% satisfied with life in the UK.

Immigration

Nearly half of UK Asians believe it is too easy for immigrants to settle in Britain a survey for the BBC Asian Network has found.

48% of Asians polled in the survey felt it was too easy to come to the UK compared to 63% of white respondents.

“Coconut" culture*

Over a third of Asians agreed that you need to be a “coconut” (brown on the outside, white on the inside i.e. an Asian person who Acts or thinks like a white person) to get on in the UK. 35% of UK Asians polled agreed that you do need to be a “coconut” to get on with 41% of Asians disagreeing. 12% of Asians polled consider themselves to be a “coconut”.

Opportunity in Britain compared to South Asia

48% of Asians felt that there are more opportunities in Britain than elsewhere, 29% felt that Britain offered the same opportunities as South Asia and 20% of Asians felt that there were fewer opportunities in Britain

Asian Culture being diluted?

30% of Asians feel that their culture is being diluted a lot, 45% of Asians say their culture was being diluted a little whilst 22% of Asians felt that their culture is not at all diluted

About the Research

The poll was conducted by ICM Research who interviewed two separate samples of people under 34 years. Firstly, they interviewed 500 Asian 16-34’s by telephone on 4-11th July 2007. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results weighted to the profile of 16-34 Asians. Secondly, ICM interviewed 235 white 18-34’s by telephone on 6-12th July. Interviews were also conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of white 18-34’s. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.