For centuries different communities have settled in the UK, either through invasion, Britain’s expansion into the world, to escape political or religious persecution or in search of better economic opportunities making the UK’s record on multiculturalism second to none in Europe. Some groups who have settled in the UK since the first millennium include:

• The Celts, who lived in Britain from the first millennium BC, were pushed into Scotland, Wales and Cornwall by the Romans and later invaders and settlers from Northern Europe – including the Danes, Norse, Anglos and Saxons.
  
• The Romans brought the first Black people to Britain; an African division of the Roman army was stationed at Hadrian’s Wall in the 3rd century. The Normans invaded in 1066, adding French culture to Anglo-Saxon and Celtic life. 
  
• A Jewish community came into Britain after 1066, until their expulsion in 1290. Oliver Cromwell allowed their resettlement in 1656. Lombards, Hansa and other merchants came for trade, and Gypsies arrived in the 16th century.
  
• The Muslim population in Britain dates back to the 18th century when Muslim sailors, known as lascars, serving on British merchant ships began settling in the port cities of Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow and London. The largest migration of Muslim communities began in the 1950s, coming mainly from South Asia and settling in inner city London, the industrial towns of the Midlands, and the textile towns of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Strathclyde. As of 2001, there are approximately 1.6 million Muslims in Britain, making it the largest religious minority in Britain.
  
• The climate of tolerance also enabled communities fleeing persecution in Europe to settle in Britain as well as other groups attracted to Britain by the chance of economic security, often bringing new trades or coming to work in new industries.
  
• The legacy of the British Empire also attracted immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 1960s to 1980s; they now make up the largest immigrant communities. Many came because of the prospects of work in the textile and other industries.

This history of immigration to Britain has produced today’s uniquely diverse nation. There is now an estimated minority ethnic population of more than 4 million, 7.1% of the population. The Office for National Statistics projects that the minority ethnic population will almost double by 2020, because of its higher birth rate.

Ethnic diversity has enriched British society, it is now home to communities from every corner of the globe. The different communities have helped build today's vibrant Britain and contributed to its economic, social, democratic and cultural development.

Modern Britain:
Everything in modern Britain - from music and fashion to food and language - has been shaped by different ethnic communities, cultures and social groups:

• The annual events calendar in the UK is packed with cultural, social and religious festivals reflecting multicultural Britain. Black History Month in October and Ramadan in the autumn are just a few of the many examples.
  
• Ethnic cuisine has become part of the British diet with a wide variety of different dishes and spices readily available in restaurants and supermarkets. Britain’s current most popular dish is curry.
  
• Britain's urban youngsters set the trend worldwide for their style in clothes, language and music - mostly based on a unique combination of ethnic styles.
  
• Television and radio have moved towards including a minority ethnic dimension in both mainstream and specialist programming. A range of ethnic minority publications are also published in Britain, from daily newspapers to magazines and trade journals.
  
• Athletes from minority ethnic groups have contributed to Britain's sporting success with many people achieving world class and Olympic status in sports like football, cricket, and boxing.
  
• Individuals from Britain's many different communities have played an active role in the democratic process. However, the numbers involved in the political and decision-making process have not always reflected their presence in the community. People from minority ethnic groups are now beginning to play a more active part in representative democracy, with a small but growing number of MPs, members of the House of Lords and local counselors. But minority ethnic people are still under represented in national and local decision-making bodies.