Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has launched a scathing attack on Britain’s immigration levels, claiming the country has been “colonised” as the population surged by 12 million people since 2020.
The 73-year-old businessman told Sky News that the UK population grew from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million, questioning the sustainability of such rapid demographic change alongside what he described as excessive welfare spending.
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” Ratcliffe stated. “I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
The billionaire, who ranks among Britain’s wealthiest individuals, also cast doubt on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s ability to tackle the country’s economic challenges, suggesting he lacks the necessary toughness for the role.
“I don’t know whether it’s just the apparatus that hasn’t allowed Keir to do it or, or he’s maybe too nice – I mean, Keir is a nice man. I like him, but it’s a tough job and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track, because at the moment I don’t think the economy is in a good state,” Ratcliffe stated.
Office of National Statistics data shows the UK population reached an estimated 70 million in mid-2024, representing a three million increase compared to 2020 figures. Ratcliffe’s claim of a 12 million rise appears to reference a longer timeframe or different baseline, though the ONS figures indicate a more modest recent increase.
The Manchester United co-owner’s intervention comes as he faces widespread unpopularity among the club’s fanbase since purchasing his stake on 24 December 2023. His ownership group also controls Ligue 1 side Nice following a takeover completed in 2019.
Ratcliffe’s comments linking immigration levels to economic strain reflect broader debates about public services, welfare costs and labour market pressures. His assertion that Britain cannot sustain nine million people on benefits alongside high immigration represents a direct challenge to current government policy.
The businessman’s characterization of demographic changes as “colonisation” employs charged language typically associated with historical empire and settlement patterns. His use of the term to describe modern immigration has drawn attention given his prominent position in British business and sport.
The billionaire’s criticism of Starmer centres on perceived reluctance to implement “difficult things” required to improve Britain’s economic trajectory. Ratcliffe suggested institutional obstacles or the Prime Minister’s temperament may be preventing necessary policy changes.
His assessment that Starmer is “a nice man” but potentially “too nice” for the demands of leadership implies the role requires a more confrontational or decisive approach than the current Prime Minister demonstrates. The comments add to political debate about Labour’s governance style since winning power.
Ratcliffe has not specified which “difficult things” he believes the government should implement to address immigration and welfare spending. His public intervention represents an unusually direct political statement from a business leader whose investments span petrochemicals, manufacturing and elite football clubs across Europe.
