London has increasing Indian presence

London: One-third of people living in London were born outside the UK and Indians are the largest group among this foreign-born population, according to official figures.

Out of a total population of 7,348,000 as on June 30 this year, the British-born in London accounted for 5,060,000 - 1,55,000 less than their figure on June 30, 1997.

The number of overseas-born residents now stands at 2,288,000, a record 31.1 per cent of the total population of the city and over 6,50,000 more than in 1997.

Among the foreign-born, the Indian figure went up to 2,06,000 this year as against 1,44,000 in 1997 - an increase of 62,000, according to the Office of National Statistics figures.

Meanwhile, the Irish population which was 1,85,000 in 1997 has declined to 1,14,000 this year.

The figures show that Indians, Bangladeshis, Russians, Brazilians, South Africans, Ghanaians, Poles and Australians lead the globalisation of the British capital.

Interestingly, the population of Pakistanis in London has remained constant at 38,000 during the last nine years.

The main reason behind the fact is that they generally prefer to live in areas like Bradford, Manchester and Lancashire.

During the same period, the number of Bangladeshis in London went up from 71,000 to 1,33,000 - an increase of 62,000.

The number of Russians who live in the capital has doubled to 14,000 in nine years, while the total number of Lithuanians, whose homeland recently joined the European Union, is up to 28,000.

Brazilians in London now make up to 25,000, up by 21,000 from 1997 while the Colombian community, centred around Elephant and Castle, numbers 18,000 compared with 8,000 nine years ago.

As per the figures, which are based on a survey of 5,000 households in London, the American contingent has increased from 36,000 when Tony Blair became the Prime Minister to 58,000 now at a time when he prepares to step down.

Chinese-born citizens here have risen by 200 per cent to 27,000 but the number of Japanese has fallen by 3,000.

"It's no surprise that people want to come here," says London Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, the MP for Poplar and Canning Town.

However, he points out, "We have to make sure that although we are tolerant and welcome, our Britishness is not diluted to the extent that it disappears. People who come here should learn the language, culture and history and share in the richness of London."

London Director of the Confederation of British Industry, Nigel Bourne, says, "As London's economy has expanded, the staff needs of businesses have drawn people not just from the UK, but from around the world."