Revision NotesExam QuestionsFlashcardsPast Papers
GCSEHistoryEdexcelThe Thematic & Historic Environment (Paper 1)Revision NotesMigrants in Britain, c800–Presentc1900- Present: Migration in Modern BritainThe Impact of Migrants in Modern Britain

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2024

First exams 2026

|

The Impact of Migrants in Modern Britain (Edexcel GCSE History) : Revision Note

Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Updated on

How big of an impact has migration had to Modern Britain?- Summary

Since 1900, migrants have played an important role in shaping modern Britain. After the World Wars, they helped rebuild the country by working in industries like construction, transport, and healthcare. Many worked in the NHS, which was established in 1948, and became essential to keeping hospitals running. Migrants also supported the London transport system, especially Caribbean workers in the 1950s and 60s. In towns and cities, migrants set up shops, restaurants, and built places of worship like mosques and synagogues, helping to create more diverse communities.

Migrants have also influenced British culture and politics. They introduced new foods, music, and festivals that are now part of everyday life. Figures like Doreen Lawrence and groups like Black Lives Matter UK have fought against racism and helped to change laws. Migrants and their descendants are now more visible in sport, broadcasting, and Parliament. This includes Britain’s first Asian Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. Overall, the impact of migrants in modern Britain has been wide-ranging, helping to shape the country we live in today.

Modern politics

  • Migrants and their descendants have made a significant impact on politics and civil rights in Modern Britain

Dr Harold Moody and the League of Coloured Peoples

  • Dr Harold Moody was a Jamaican-born doctor

    • He moved to London in the early 20th century

  • In 1931, he founded the League of Coloured Peoples (LCP)

  • The LCP campaigned for:

    • Equal access to education, housing, and jobs

    • Better conditions for Black and Asian people living in Britain

Examiner Tips and Tricks

The term 'coloured' was a common way to refer to Black and Asian people in the early 20th century.

This is not an acceptable term to use today.

However, as the term is used in the name of an organisation, it is appropriate to write the League of Coloured Peoples in your exam. If you write it in full once, followed by (LCP), you can refer to the organisation as LCP throughout the rest of your answer.

Doreen Lawrence and the Stephen Lawrence Case

  • In 1993, 18-year-old Stephen Lawrence, a Black British teenager, was murdered in a racist attack in London

  • The initial police investigation was inadequate

  • Stephen’s mother, Doreen Lawrence, became a leading figure in the fight for justice and police reform

  • Her campaigning led to the Macpherson Report (1999), which found the police were institutionally racist

  • This led to:

    • Major changes in police training and accountability

    • Stronger laws on hate crime and racial discrimination

  • Doreen Lawrence became a Baroness in 2013 and continues to speak out for justice and equality

A formally dressed woman stands against a neutral grey background. She is wearing a long-sleeved black dress with a decorative white floral pattern around the neckline. She has short, styled black hair and is wearing a wristwatch and a delicate necklace. Her expression is calm and composed as she looks directly at the camera.
Official portrait of Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon

Show Racism the Red Card

  • Founded in 1996

  • The charity uses football to educate young people about racism

  • It runs events in schools, clubs, and communities

  • Mixed-heritage footballers such as Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, and Eniola Aluko have publicly supported the campaign

Black Lives Matter

  • Black Lives Matter was created in 2013

    • The organisation became widely known in 2020, following the murder of George Floyd in the USA

  • In May 2020, protests were held across the UK to challenge racism in policing, employment, and society

  • Statues of people linked to the transatlantic trade were protested around or removed

    • An example of this was the toppling of slave trader Edward Colston's statue in Bristol

A large crowd of protestors surrounds a toppled statue on the ground during a demonstration. The crowd is diverse, with people of different ethnicities and ages. Many are wearing face masks, holding signs, and taking photos or videos with their phones. Visible signs include messages such as “BLACK LIVES MATTER” and “ONE LOVE.” Emotions are high, with people raising fists and cheering in an atmosphere of intense energy and activism.
A photograph in the moments after the Colston Statue was toppled by Black Lives Matter protestors, 8th June 2020

Modern transport

  • In 1968, London Transport ran a public recruitment campaign to address its continuing staff shortages

    • The campaign offered guaranteed jobs and accommodation to new recruits from the Caribbean

    • The government worked with the Barbados government to organise travel and training

  • Thousands of men and women from countries like Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad came to work as:

    • bus conductors

    • train and tube drivers

    • cleaners

    • mechanics

    • canteen staff

  • Despite facing racism, Caribbean workers had a significant impact on transport

    • In 2018, Transport for London (TfL) renamed a bus garage "Windrush Square" in honour of the Windrush Generation

Modern industry

  • Migrants helped rebuild British industry after both World Wars. Workers came from

    • Ireland

    • Italy

    • Poland

    • India

    • Pakistan

    • the Caribbean

Key industries in Modern Britain

IMAGE

A concept map showing the four main areas of industry in Modern Britain

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Students can sometimes feel overwhelmed with the amount of information in Migrants in Britain, c800-present.

Prioritise your revision on learning one specific example for each section of society, such as industry or culture. This will give you examples that you can use in your exam.

Migration & the National Health Service (NHS)

  • The NHS was established in 1948

  • Post-war Britain faced a shortage of healthcare workers

  • The British government recruited thousands of people to work as:

    • nurses

    • cleaners

    • porters

    • doctors

  • Many migrants came from:

    • The Caribbean

    • India

    • Nigeria

  • Migrant workers are essentially to the NHS

    • In 2023, over 36% of doctors and 30% of nurses in the NHS were non-UK nationals

      • Most migrant doctors originate from India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Nigeria

      • Most migrant nurses' country of origin are India, the Philippines, and Nigeria

A group of young trainee nurses stand in a line facing a senior nurse or matron in uniform, who appears to be addressing or greeting them. The trainees are dressed in traditional white nursing uniforms and caps, and they smile warmly. The image, likely from the mid-20th century, reflects a diverse group of women, including Black and white nurses, symbolising the growing diversity in the British healthcare workforce, possibly during the early years of the NHS or post-Windrush era. The background shows a wood-panelled interior, possibly a hospital or training facility.
A photograph from the Daily Herald Archive, 1955. It shows a matron with nursing students from Italy, France, Spain, Norway, the Lebanon, Jamaica, Nigeria and Syria

Modern towns

  • Migrant communities have shaped the look and feel of British towns and cities

    • Corner shops, takeaways, and specialist food stores appeared in growing numbers

    • Many towns saw the building of mosques, gurdwaras, and synagogues

      • This reflect the religious diversity of modern Britain

    • Cities like Leicester, Birmingham, and London became known for their multicultural communities

      • Migrant communities are popular tourist locations because of their appearance, such as Chinatown in London

  • In some areas, migrants renovated housing and shops, helping to revitalise parts of towns

A vibrant street scene in London’s Chinatown, with a large, ornate Chinese gate (paifang) adorned in intricate patterns and gold Chinese characters as the focal point. Red lanterns are strung across the street in festive rows, creating a colourful canopy above pedestrians. People walk beneath the decorations, some stopping at shops and restaurants lining the street.
A photograph of Chinatown in London, 2018. Chinatown Gate by Thomas Nugent

Modern culture

Festivals and religion

  • Celebrations such as Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Chinese New Year, and Hanukkah are now widely celebrated in schools and communities

    • This reflects Britain’s growing religious and cultural diversity

Food

  • Dishes like chicken tikka masala, curry, noodles, and Jamaican patties are now part of everyday British diets

  • Supermarkets and restaurants now sell foods from around the world, changing how British people eat

Music

  • Caribbean migrants brought over ska and reggae in the 1950s and 1960s

    • This influenced major British bands like The Specials and Madness

  • Modern artists such as Stormzy, Dave, and Little Simz continue to explore themes of identity, racism and immigration in their music

Sport

  • Mo Farah, a refugee from Somalia, became one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes

    • He won gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics

  • Nasser Hussain, born in India, became the first non-white captain of the England cricket team

A jubilant Mo Farah, draped in a Union Jack flag, celebrates a victory on the athletics track. He is wearing a Team GB kit with his name "FARAH" and "MOSCOW" printed on his bib, indicating a world championship event. Farah smiles and gestures with outstretched arms, basking in his achievement, while a crowd watches in the blurred background. His gold spikes hang around his neck, adding to the celebratory mood.
A photograph of Mo Farah during 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow

Broadcasting and media

  • Lenny Henry, of Jamaican heritage, was one of the first Black British comedians to appear on national TV

    • He later co-founded Comic Relief

  • News presenters like Trevor McDonald, Clive Myrie and Mishal Husain have become familiar faces on the TV

    • This shows progress in media representation

Politics

  • Diane Abbott, a member of the Labour Party, became the first Black woman to be elected into Parliament in 1987

  • In 2022, Rishi Sunak became the first Hindu and the first British Asian to hold the office of Prime Minister

  • In the 2024 UK general election, 90 MPs were from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority (BAME) backgrounds

    • This is approximately 13.8% of the House of Commons

A portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair and glasses. She is wearing a grey blazer over a blue top and a statement necklace made of large white flowers. The background is a neutral grey, and the lighting highlights her friendly expression.
A photograph of Diane Abbott, 2017

Worked Example

Explain why the impact of migrants on Britain changed in the years c1900–present.

You may use the following in your answer:

  • politics

  • the NHS

You must also use information of your own.

(12 marks)

Partial answer:

One reason the impact of migrants on Britain changed after 1900 is because they became essential to running the National Health Service (NHS). After its creation in 1948, Britain relied on migrants, especially from the Caribbean and South Asia, to fill roles as nurses, doctors, and porters. Unlike in the nineteenth century, when migrants were often restricted to low-paid industrial work, modern migrants took on vital positions in public healthcare. This had a significant impact on Britain because the NHS is central to daily life. Migrants continue to contribute to the running of the NHS at every level. Over time, this has led to greater public awareness of the positive role migrants played, showing a shift in how migration shaped British society.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

In long -answer questions (such as 12 or 16 markers), you may be asked to assess the significance of migrants or how their impact changed over time.

Continuity:

  • Migrants continued to contribute to industry and settled in urban areas

    • You could compare Jewish tailors in the East End and South Asian textile workers in Bradford

Change:

  • Migrants had a growing impact on politics, and public services in the modern period

    • You could use examples of:

      • The Windrush Generation's contributions to London Transport and the NHS

      • BAME representation in the government

You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week

Unlock more, it's free!

Join the 100,000+ Students that ❤️ Save My Exams

the (exam) results speak for themselves:

    Did this page help you?

    Previous:The Experience of Migrants in Modern Britain After 1945Next:Case Study: Bristol & Leicester
    Author
    Reviewer
    Zoe Wade

    Author: Zoe Wade

    Expertise: History Content Creator

    Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

    Bridgette Barrett

    Reviewer: Bridgette Barrett

    Expertise: Geography Lead

    After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.