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History

Timeline

The European Economic Community (EEC) is created - now known as the European Union (EU). Workers can now move freely between member countries

Signing of the Treaty of Rome, establishing the EEC in 1957

 
1957
 

1962
to
1971

Commonwealth restrictions come into place. Members of the EEC face restriction of movement as postwar labour shortages improve. Implemented through 1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act and 1971 Immigration Act.

The Commonwealth Immigration Act document, 1962
Increase of refugees fleeing to UK for safety due to global increase in political unrest, including people escaping from the Vietnam war and those expelled from their home countries following persecution. Refugees were welcomed into the UK as commonwealth citizens

Refugees from Vietnam arrive in Britain, 1979

1968
to
1979

1945
to
1982

UK citizens encouraged to relocate to Australia to increase their labour force. The Assisted Passage Migration Scheme saw 1.5 million people migrate, becoming known as the "Ten Pound Poms"

The Ten Pound Poms embark on their journey to Australia
UK joins the EEC and the number of UK citizens emigrating peaks. Meanwhile, the Immigration Act 1971 was making immigration from the Commonwealth to the UK harder.

Britain join EEC as the Common Market Association treaty is signed, 1972

1973
to
1975

1976
to
1978

Following racial tensions within the UK 1976 Race Relations Act introduced to promote equal opportunities regardless of ethnicity, nationality or religion. British citizens continue to emigrate following Canadian Immigration Act, making it easier to move to Canada.

Emblem of the Race Relations Act, 1976
EEC expansion as more countries join. Primary Purpose Rule 1980 - foreign nationals married to British citizens required to prove they were not primarily trying to obtain British residency through the marriage. Later abolished in 1997 due to being "unfair and ineffective" - then Home Secretary, Jack Straw

Map of the European Economic Community by year of membership

1980
to
1986

 
1988
 

1988 Immigration Act ensured workers with freedom of movement in the EEC did not need permission to enter or remain in the UK

Emblem of the Immigration Act, 1988
European Union established, with EU citizenship for all nationals of member states rather than just workers.

European Union flag

1993
to
1994

 
1995
 

EU Expansion to include Austria, Finland and Sweden. Control of Hong Kong handed back to China in 1997, resulting in migration to the UK for Hong Kong citizens due to uncertainty..50,000 families granted British Citizenship under 1990 British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act.

The handover ceremony as control of Hong Kong is passed from the UK to China, 1997
Increase in applications for asylum in the UK due to increased persecution in Eastern Europe and warzones across Somalia, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. This led to the creation of National Asylum Service, English Test and citizenship exams, a new visa system, limits to the appeal system, fines for employers with illegal employees and removal of benefits.

Somalia Conflict, Soldiers loyal to Somalia's transitional government entered the capital

1999
to
2006

 
2004
 

Further EU expansion. UK saw an increase in number of migrants from the "EU8" - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia. Worker Registration Scheme introduced to monitor workers and the impact on the labour market.

Map showing EU8 join European Union
Global economic downturn. Points based immigration system introduced for migrants outside the EU following unemployment rise and increased immigration from new EU member states

Newspaper reporting on financial crisis of 2008

2008
to
2009

 
2015
 

Initially the Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) was created following Syrian unrest to resettle Syrian refugees in need of protectionbr>
Map showing the number of Syrian people displaced in 2014, just before the VPRS was commenced
The UK vote to leave the EU in referendum

Prime Minister, David Cameron, addresses the UK following vote to leave the European Union

 
2016
 

 
2017
 

Fall in UK net migration due to increase in EU citizens leaving, following improved job opportunities in the EU and the fall in the value of the GB pound

European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
UK EU Withdrawal Bill becomes law, as UK leaves EU membership

British Flag removed from European Union Council in Brussels as UK leaves EU

 
2020
 

 
2021
 

Afghanistan refugees arrive in the UK fleeing for safety as the Taliban seizes control in 2021.

Refugees evacuated from Afghanistan following terror attack warning issued for Kabul airport
Introduction of new immigration system, easing restrictions after Covid-19 pandemic

Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration release new immigration system guidance

 
2021
 

 
2022
 

UK launches the Homes For Ukraine scheme following the Russian invasian of Ukraine in February 2022

Homes for Ukraine scheme launched by UK Government
UK net migration peaks at an estimated 685,000 with an increase in non-EU immigration from work visas and international students

Non-EU immigration trend peaks

 
2023
 

Timeline adapted from: 

Image References (in order of appearance): 

  1. Britannica. (2019):  European Union - Creation of the European Economic Community. Available from: European Union - EEC, Integration, Treaties | Britannica  

  1. Free Movement (2022): On this day 60 years ago, the first Commonwealth Immigrants Act came into effect. Available from: https://freemovement.org.uk/on-this-day-sixty-years-ago-the-first-commonwealth-immigrants-act-came-into-effect/ 

  1. The Guardian (2020): Harrowing but hopeful: the documentary that tells the story of Vietnam’s ‘boat people’. Available from: Harrowing but hopeful: the documentary that tells the story of Vietnam's 'boat people' | Documentary | The Guardian  

  1. Office for National Statistics (2016): Explore 50 years of international migration to and from the UK. Available from: Explore 50 years of international migration to and from the UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)  

  1. The Guardian (2014): Politics Live blog - readers’ edition: Wednesday 27 August. Available from: Politics Live blog - readers' edition: Wednesday 27 August | Politics | The Guardian  

  1. UK Public General Acts (1976): Race Relations Act 1976. Available from: Race Relations Act 1976 (legislation.gov.uk) 

  1. Britannica. (2019):  European Union - Creation of the European Economic Community. Available from: European Union - EEC, Integration, Treaties | Britannica  

  1. Immigration Act (1988): Immigration Act 1988, Chapter 14 reprint. Available from: Immigration Act 1988 

  1. Britannica. (2019a) European Union | Definition, Purpose, History, & Members Encyclopedia. Available from: European Union (EU) | Definition, Flag, Purpose, History, & Members | Britannica 

  1. Business Insider (2017): These 15 photos show Hong Kong’s journey from British rule to today, Business Insider. Available from: 15 Photos Showing Hong Kong's Journey From British Rule to Today - Business Insider 

  1. BBC (2006): In pictures: Somalia conflict. Available from: BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Somalia conflict 

  1. Office for National Statistics (2017): Living abroad: migration between Britain and the EU8. Available from: Living abroad - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) 

  1. Historyhit (2021): What Caused the 2008 Financial Crash? Available from: What Caused the 2008 Financial Crash? | History Hit 

  1. BBC (2014): UK to act with “urgency” over Syrian refuges says PM. Available from: UK to act with 'urgency' over Syrian refugees says PM - BBC News 

  1. BBC (2016): In Pictures: UK votes to leave EU. Available from: In pictures: UK votes to leave EU - BBC News  

  1. Eurofound (2016): Changing working conditions in Europe: Moving towards better work: Overview report of Eurofound's sixth European Working Conditions Survey. Available from: Changing working conditions in Europe: Moving towards better work: Overview report of Eurofound's sixth European Working Conditions Survey | European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (europa.eu) 

  1. BBC (2020): Brexit: UK leaves the European Union. Available from: Brexit: UK leaves the European Union - BBC News 

  1. BBC (2021): Afghanistan: Terror attack warning issues for Kabul airport. Available from: Afghanistan: Terror attack warning issued for Kabul airport - BBC News  

  1. Uk Government (no date): New immigration system: what you need to know. Available from: New immigration system: what you need to know - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

  1. UK Government, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (2022): ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme launches. Available from: ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme launches - GOV.UK 

  1. Office for National Statistics (2023): Long-term international migration, provisional: year ending June 2023. Available from: Long-term international migration, provisional - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) 

Timeline adapted from: 

Image References (in order of appearance): 

  1. Britannica. (2019):  European Union - Creation of the European Economic Community. Available from: European Union - EEC, Integration, Treaties | Britannica  

  1. Free Movement (2022): On this day 60 years ago, the first Commonwealth Immigrants Act came into effect. Available from: https://freemovement.org.uk/on-this-day-sixty-years-ago-the-first-commonwealth-immigrants-act-came-into-effect/ 

  1. The Guardian (2020): Harrowing but hopeful: the documentary that tells the story of Vietnam’s ‘boat people’. Available from: Harrowing but hopeful: the documentary that tells the story of Vietnam's 'boat people' | Documentary | The Guardian  

  1. Office for National Statistics (2016): Explore 50 years of international migration to and from the UK. Available from: Explore 50 years of international migration to and from the UK - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)  

  1. The Guardian (2014): Politics Live blog - readers’ edition: Wednesday 27 August. Available from: Politics Live blog - readers' edition: Wednesday 27 August | Politics | The Guardian  

  1. UK Public General Acts (1976): Race Relations Act 1976. Available from: Race Relations Act 1976 (legislation.gov.uk) 

  1. Britannica. (2019):  European Union - Creation of the European Economic Community. Available from: European Union - EEC, Integration, Treaties | Britannica  

  1. Immigration Act (1988): Immigration Act 1988, Chapter 14 reprint. Available from: Immigration Act 1988 

  1. Britannica. (2019a) European Union | Definition, Purpose, History, & Members Encyclopedia. Available from: European Union (EU) | Definition, Flag, Purpose, History, & Members | Britannica 

  1. Business Insider (2017): These 15 photos show Hong Kong’s journey from British rule to today, Business Insider. Available from: 15 Photos Showing Hong Kong's Journey From British Rule to Today - Business Insider 

  1. BBC (2006): In pictures: Somalia conflict. Available from: BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Somalia conflict 

  1. Office for National Statistics (2017): Living abroad: migration between Britain and the EU8. Available from: Living abroad - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) 

  1. Historyhit (2021): What Caused the 2008 Financial Crash? Available from: What Caused the 2008 Financial Crash? | History Hit 

  1. BBC (2014): UK to act with “urgency” over Syrian refuges says PM. Available from: UK to act with 'urgency' over Syrian refugees says PM - BBC News 

  1. BBC (2016): In Pictures: UK votes to leave EU. Available from: In pictures: UK votes to leave EU - BBC News  

  1. Eurofound (2016): Changing working conditions in Europe: Moving towards better work: Overview report of Eurofound's sixth European Working Conditions Survey. Available from: Changing working conditions in Europe: Moving towards better work: Overview report of Eurofound's sixth European Working Conditions Survey | European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (europa.eu) 

  1. BBC (2020): Brexit: UK leaves the European Union. Available from: Brexit: UK leaves the European Union - BBC News 

  1. BBC (2021): Afghanistan: Terror attack warning issues for Kabul airport. Available from: Afghanistan: Terror attack warning issued for Kabul airport - BBC News  

  1. Uk Government (no date): New immigration system: what you need to know. Available from: New immigration system: what you need to know - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

  1. UK Government, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (2022): ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme launches. Available from: ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme launches - GOV.UK 

  1. Office for National Statistics (2023): Long-term international migration, provisional: year ending June 2023. Available from: Long-term international migration, provisional - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)