A new white paper has underscored the deep and lasting contribution of the Indian diaspora to modern Britain, describing the community as the country’s most economically successful migrant group and a central force in national growth. The report, launched at the House of Lords on 5 February, traces decades of migration and documents how successive generations of Indian migrants have supported Britain’s recovery, innovation and competitiveness across multiple sectors of the economy.
Titled Migration of the Indian Diaspora to the UK, the study was produced by multicultural advertising agency Here & Now 365 in partnership with the Aston India Centre at Aston University. Drawing on labour market data, historical research and economic indicators, the paper maps four major waves of migration since India’s independence in 1947 and links each phase to key moments in Britain’s development.
According to the report, the first wave arrived in the years following the Second World War, when labour shortages threatened the country’s postwar rebuild. Indian workers filled essential roles in manufacturing, public transport and the newly established National Health Service, helping stabilise public services and restore industrial productivity. Their presence, the study notes, played a crucial role in sustaining communities and maintaining vital infrastructure during a period of national recovery.
A second wave emerged in the 1970s following the expulsion of Asians from Uganda under Idi Amin. Many East African Indians arrived with strong entrepreneurial experience and quickly established small businesses, shops and trading enterprises. These ventures revitalised local high streets, generated employment and injected new life into struggling neighbourhood economies. The report credits this generation with strengthening Britain’s culture of small business ownership and community enterprise.
The third phase marked a shift toward skilled migration, with professionals entering finance, medicine, engineering and education. This cohort helped reinforce Britain’s standing as a global hub for knowledge-based industries, contributing expertise that supported both public institutions and private sector growth. More recently, a fourth wave shaped by Brexit and the Covid pandemic has focused on technology and healthcare. Indian-born workers now account for around 15 per cent of the UK’s technology workforce, while continuing to play a vital role in hospitals and care services during periods of strain.
Researchers conclude that the Indian community leads many migrant groups in employment rates, educational attainment and entrepreneurship. The paper highlights the diaspora’s strong presence in digital innovation and notes that Britain’s technology ecosystem ranks second globally only to the United States and China.
Manish Tiwari, founder of Here & Now 365, said Indian migrants have repeatedly stepped forward during moments of national need, from rebuilding the postwar economy to powering the digital transformation and strengthening health systems during crises. He added that the diaspora’s influence now extends across nearly every layer of society.
The report describes the Indian diaspora as deeply woven into Britain’s growth story and points to its role in fostering trade, cultural exchange and stronger ties with India. Forewords from cross-party political leaders, university officials and business figures emphasise the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure future prosperity. A panel discussion at the launch event explored how diaspora-led innovation could further support economic resilience and social cohesion in the years ahead.
