Integration in the UK: A Work in Progress, Not a Lost Cause

In recent months, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, has sparked national debate with remarks that integration in the UK “is not working” and that we should “accept” this as reality. While her concerns about the state of integration are valid, resignation and severe restrictions on immigration are not the answer. Instead, her statement should serve as a moment to take a closer look at where we’ve stumbled, where we’ve triumphed, and how we can move forward.

Integration isn’t easy. Building a society where every individual — regardless of their background — feels welcome and valued requires more than surface-level policies. It requires understanding, investment, and a commitment to shaping a cohesive future. The good news? Despite setbacks, integration in the UK is not a lost cause. 

A Government That’s Falling Short on Integration Support

At the core of the challenge lies a failure in leadership. Successive governments have struggled to implement a cohesive and consistent strategy for integration. While integration is often oversimplified to mean learning English or finding employment, true integration goes far beyond these individual efforts. It’s about fostering mutual understanding and creating communities where everyone feels they belong.

Unfortunately, current efforts fall short. Over the last decade, funding for vital social cohesion projects has been slashed. Local councils in major cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester have worked to try and fill the gaps, but resources are stretched thin. Community housing programmes, adult language lessons, and employment initiatives — essential foundations for integration — lack the investment they need to thrive.

The recently published Social Fabric Index report sheds further light on this issue, revealing that the UK is facing unprecedented levels of community division and disconnection, with some areas at greater risk of social unrest. Highlighting the effects of policy neglect, the report warns that failing to address these fractures will leave communities even more vulnerable to future instability. This underscores the urgent need for meaningful government action to rebuild trust and cohesion across the country.

Without robust and meaningful support from the government, integration risks becoming a box-ticking exercise that overlooks its most important goal: bringing people together in shared and meaningful ways.

Integration Is Happening — Even If It’s Uneven

Despite these challenges, integration across the UK isn’t at a standstill. Success stories remind us what’s possible when individuals and communities are supported:

Take the Syrian refugee resettlement programme as an example. With the help of charities like the British Red Cross, refugees who were given language lessons, employment support and community resources have made significant strides in establishing new lives in the UK. Many learned English, found work and became active contributors to their local communities — a testament to what can happen when people are given the tools they need to succeed.

More recently, the story of Courtown, a small town in Ireland, serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities embrace integration. Asylum seekers have found a warm welcome there, supported by local residents who have stepped up to provide not just practical help but also friendship and acceptance. This dynamic has created a sense of belonging for the newcomers while enriching the lives of the host community. Courtown demonstrates that integration is not only possible but can thrive in smaller, less resourced settings when empathy and community spirit take centre stage.

Although not without a number of challenges and issues in supporting all Afghan refugees who were welcomed to the UK after the fall of Kabul, many have successfully integrated with the help of community groups, charities, and local authorities. Initiatives such as language lessons, housing support, and employment assistance have enabled a small number to secure stable housing, find work, and participate actively in their new communities.

Similarly, the success of second-generation immigrants speaks volumes. Children from South Asian, African-Caribbean, Irish, and other immigrant families have excelled in education, business, and public service. Overcoming systemic barriers, they’ve demonstrated how integration can lead to long-term contributions to UK society.

These pockets of progress show that integration isn’t failing everywhere, but they also highlight its unevenness. When support systems are present, people thrive. When they’re absent, progress stalls.

The Role of Media and Misinformation

One of the most significant hurdles to integration is the narrative surrounding it. Media plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, and too often the stories we hear cast immigration and multiculturalism in a negative light.

Mainstream outlets tend to amplify challenges, creating fear-driven narratives that position immigrants as threats to British identity. A study by Ofcom in 2020 found that certain media channels perpetuate stereotypes, fuelling division and an “us versus them” mentality.

This misinformation doesn’t just cloud public perception; it actively undermines integration efforts. Positive stories of immigrants opening businesses, working as essential healthcare staff, or driving innovation are overshadowed by fear-mongering headlines. The result? A nation where division is stoked rather than unity fostered.

A Call for Action: Changing the Narrative

To repair and strengthen integration efforts, we need to turn the tide—starting with an honest and inclusive conversation. This conversation isn’t about blaming one group or another. It’s about acknowledging challenges, celebrating successes, and fostering empathy.

What needs to happen?

• Government Investment 

Real progress requires meaningful action. The UK government must invest in programmes that teach English, offer job training, improve access to housing, and create community-building initiatives. These aren’t just “nice to have” programmes—they’re the building blocks of an integrated society.

• Community-Driven Solutions 

Integration is a two-way street. Both immigrants and the host society play a role. Communities that celebrate diversity, encourage dialogue, and create opportunities for cultural exchange are at the forefront of meaningful change. Local groups and charities need more support to do what they do best—bringing people together.

• Combat Misinformation 

We need a media landscape that highlights achievements and amplifies positive stories about integration. When people see the tangible benefits diversity brings—whether it’s in business, culture, or community life—they’re more likely to welcome it.

• Empathy and Understanding 

Breaking stereotypes starts with everyday interactions. We need to create spaces for genuine connection, where people from different backgrounds can share stories, experiences, and aspirations.

Integration Is a Shared Responsibility

The pathway to integration isn’t easy. It demands effort and empathy from all sides—immigrants striving to build new lives, governments providing the right support, and host communities opening their doors. But the rewards are immense. Integration isn’t just about blending cultures; it’s about creating a society where everyone has a chance to thrive, no one feels left behind, and diversity is celebrated as a strength, not a weakness.

The Road Ahead

Kemi Badenoch’s remarks may have painted a bleak picture of integration in the UK, but the situation isn’t hopeless. There are lessons to be learned from our struggles and inspiration to be drawn from our successes. Integration is a work in progress, but progress is still being made.

Together, government bodies, local councils, communities, and individuals hold the power to reshape the narrative and create a future where everyone feels at home. Integration in the UK is not a lost cause. It’s a challenge worth rising to.

Join us at The Roots Programme to be part of the solution. Through meaningful conversations, cultural exchanges and shared stories, we’re building stronger, united communities where everyone feels they belong.

Get involved today: Explore our programmes, connect with others, and help shape a future where integration isn’t just an aspiration—it’s a reality. Visit The Roots Programme to learn more.