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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Leicester 'to become plural city' | Leicester 'to become plural city' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A new study claims Leicester will become the first city in Britain to have no ethnic majority group in 12 years time. | |
| Researchers at the University of Manchester, who carried out the study, also expect Birmingham to become a plural city in 2024. | |
| Professor Ludi Simpson, who led the study, said white groups will remain the largest in both cities. | Professor Ludi Simpson, who led the study, said white groups will remain the largest in both cities. |
| He said the results reflected worldwide trends of increasing ethnic diversity. | He said the results reflected worldwide trends of increasing ethnic diversity. |
| Prediction disputed | Prediction disputed |
| Prof Simpson said: "In Leicester and Birmingham, the white group will remain the largest by far - though it will not account for a majority of the population as a whole. | Prof Simpson said: "In Leicester and Birmingham, the white group will remain the largest by far - though it will not account for a majority of the population as a whole. |
| "These and most other cities are already diverse with many different ethnic minorities. | "These and most other cities are already diverse with many different ethnic minorities. |
| "Indeed it is indisputable that whether the whole of Britain or its city districts are considered, there will be more cultures represented in more equal numbers than in the past." | "Indeed it is indisputable that whether the whole of Britain or its city districts are considered, there will be more cultures represented in more equal numbers than in the past." |
| Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said plurality would be a "natural development of the city". | Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said plurality would be a "natural development of the city". |
| He said: "Leicester's diversity and successful integration is a mark of Leicester's confidence in itself. | He said: "Leicester's diversity and successful integration is a mark of Leicester's confidence in itself. |
| "Since the immigration of the 1970s our communities have always got along with one another. | "Since the immigration of the 1970s our communities have always got along with one another. |
| "Not every city in England will become like Leicester, but it is a hopeful example of multiculturalism for our nation today." | "Not every city in England will become like Leicester, but it is a hopeful example of multiculturalism for our nation today." |
| The research team dismissed claims by the Commission for Racial Equality that Leicester would be the first in Europe to have a majority non-white population in three years. | The research team dismissed claims by the Commission for Racial Equality that Leicester would be the first in Europe to have a majority non-white population in three years. |
| Figures in the 2001 Census showed Leicester's population was 63% white with the next largest ethnic group being of Indian origin at 26%. | Figures in the 2001 Census showed Leicester's population was 63% white with the next largest ethnic group being of Indian origin at 26%. |