Independent UK MP Rupert Lowe has drawn criticism after claiming that Britain should not “import millions of Pakistanis and Indians” to fill jobs that he argues should go to unemployed British citizens.
“If That Makes Me Racist, So Be It”
In a post on X, Lowe wrote: “I don’t believe we should import millions of Pakistanis and Indians to do jobs that unemployed Brits should be doing.”
He added: “If that makes me racist, then so be it.”
The comments have reignited debate over immigration, labour shortages and race relations in the United Kingdom.
Great Yarmouth Has Small Indian and Pakistani Population
According to data from the 2021 Census, Lowe’s constituency of Great Yarmouth has 907 residents of Indian and Pakistani origin—786 Indian and 121 Pakistani residents—representing less than 1% of the town’s population of nearly 100,000.
Unemployment Above National Average
Great Yarmouth’s unemployment rate stands at 9.8%, significantly higher than the UK national average of 5.4%, a statistic frequently cited in debates over employment and migration.
Migrants Account for Growing Share of UK Workforce
Data cited from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford indicates that non-UK nationals held approximately 6.5 million jobs in December 2025, accounting for 20% of all employee jobs in the country. This share has risen steadily from 12% in 2014.
Indian Workers Among Fastest-Growing Groups in Employment
Between 2021 and 2025, Indian and Nigerian nationals recorded some of the largest increases in employment in the UK workforce.
However, much of this growth has occurred in sectors facing persistent labour shortages, particularly health and social care.
Health and Care Sector Relies on Overseas Recruitment
A substantial proportion of jobs held by non-EU nationals are in the health and care sector. During the period between 2021 and 2025, more than 161,000 Skilled Worker visas were issued to non-EU care workers.
The UK government had expanded visa eligibility for care workers in response to difficulties filling vacancies through the domestic labour market.
Welfare Claims Assertion Challenged
Lowe has also previously claimed that 1.3 million foreign nationals receive Universal Credit.
Available figures indicate that around 1.1 million Universal Credit recipients are non-UK nationals, representing roughly 13% of all recipients. This is lower than their estimated 16% share of the working-age population.
Most migrants on work, study and family visas are generally barred from accessing public benefits under the “No Recourse to Public Funds” policy.
Political Background and Previous Remarks
Lowe was elected to Parliament as a candidate of Reform UK in July 2024 before having the party whip suspended in March 2025. He subsequently became leader of the Restore Britain.
He has previously made controversial comments on immigration, including a December 2025 statement rejecting the idea that Britain was built by immigrants.
Debate Over Immigration Continues
Lowe’s latest remarks have intensified discussions over immigration policy, labour market needs and national identity, with supporters arguing for stricter migration controls and critics accusing him of using inflammatory rhetoric that unfairly targets specific ethnic communities.
