8.3: Immigration and Economic Challenges

Immigration and Restrictions

Immigration Declines

The late 1960s saw a decline in the number of people migrating from the West Indies, India, Pakistan, and what is now Bangladesh, as the British government introduced new laws to restrict immigration. These laws required immigrants to have a strong connection to Britain, either by birth or ancestry.

Indians Immigrate from Uganda in the 1970s

Despite these restrictions, in the early 1970s, Britain admitted 28,000 people of Indian origin who had been expelled from Uganda under Idi Amin’s regime. This marked a significant moment in Britain’s post-war immigration history.

Economic Problems in the 1970s

Economic Decline

By the late 1970s, the post-war economic boom had ended. Prices of goods and raw materials surged, and the exchange rate of the pound became unstable. This caused difficulties with the balance of payments, as the value of imports exceeded that of exports.

Industrial Strikes and Unions

Many industries experienced widespread strikes, which caused significant tension between the trade unions and the government. The increasing power of the unions led to debates about whether their influence was harming the country.

Unrest in Northern Ireland

The 1970s also saw a period of serious unrest in Northern Ireland. In 1972, the Northern Ireland Parliament was suspended, and the region was placed under direct rule by the UK government. The violence in Northern Ireland during this time claimed around 3,000 lives over the decades following 1969.

Mary Peters (1939–)

Mary Peters was born in Manchester but moved to Northern Ireland as a child. A talented athlete, she won an Olympic gold medal in the pentathlon in 1972. Following her Olympic success, she raised funds for local athletics and became the team manager for the women’s British Olympic team. She continues to promote sport and tourism in Northern Ireland and was made a Dame of the British Empire in 2000 for her contributions.