What was the actual UK population growth from 2020 to recent years, according to official figures?

The UK population grew from 66.7 million in mid-2020 to 69.3 million in mid-2024, an increase of about 2.6 million, not 12 million as claimed by Ratcliffe.

Who criticized Jim Ratcliffe's comments and what did they say?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanded an apology on X; a No 10 spokesperson called the remarks 'offensive and wrong'; Justice Minister Jake Richards described the language as 'absurd' and hypocritical; Manchester United supporter groups and Kick It Out condemned them as divisive.

What role has net migration played in recent UK population growth?

Net migration has driven almost all UK population growth since 2020, accounting for over 65% of the increase from 2004-2023 and projected to account for 104% of growth from 2022-2046.

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12d ago

Jim Ratcliffe Apologises After Saying UK 'Colonised' by Immigrants

Ratcliffe said he was sorry his 'choice of language' offended after claiming the UK population rose by 12 million.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

Jim Ratcliffe apologised for his "choice of language" after saying the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants," saying he was "sorry" his words "offended some people," according to a statement he issued.

Ratcliffe made the remarks in a Sky News interview in which he also said the UK's population had risen from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million, a claim the Office for National Statistics shows is inaccurate.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanded on X that Ratcliffe apologise and a No 10 spokesperson called the remarks "offensive and wrong," while Justice Minister Jake Richards told Times Radio the language was "absurd" and hypocritical.

Manchester United supporter groups including the 1958 supporters' group and the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club, and campaign group Kick It Out, issued statements condemning Ratcliffe's comments as divisive, according to their public statements.

The Football Association said it will examine whether Ratcliffe brought the game into disrepute and decide whether to open a formal investigation, the FA confirmed.

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Sources (5)

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Billionaire Manchester United co-owner sparks outrage by claiming UK ‘colonized by immigrants’

CNN•12d ago

Man Utd co-owner Ratcliffe’s anti-immigrant rhetoric sparks outrage

Al Jazeera•12d ago

Jim Ratcliffe sorry his ‘choice of language offended some people’ after saying UK colonised by immigrants – politics live

The Guardian•12d ago

Jim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘choice of language’ after saying immigrants were ‘colonising’ UK

The Guardian•12d ago

FA to look at whether Jim Ratcliffe broke football rules by saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants

The Guardian•12d ago

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

: The UK population grew from 66.7 million in mid-2020 to 69.3 million in mid-2024, an increase of about 2.6 million, not 12 million as claimed by Ratcliffe.
Sources:
Nation.Cymru
: Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanded an apology on X; a No 10 spokesperson called the remarks 'offensive and wrong'; Justice Minister Jake Richards described the language as 'absurd' and hypocritical; Manchester United supporter groups and Kick It Out condemned them as divisive.
Sources:
Office for National Statistics
: The Football Association will examine whether Ratcliffe brought the game into disrepute and decide whether to open a formal investigation.
Sources:
Migration Observatory
: Net migration has driven almost all UK population growth since 2020, accounting for over 65% of the increase from 2004-2023 and projected to account for 104% of growth from 2022-2046.
Sources:
Migration Observatory

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