Sir Jim Ratcliffe warned that high immigration and welfare dependency are straining Britain’s economy and called for tougher, potentially unpopular political decisions.
Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been “colonised” by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, and economic challenges.
🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0kfO
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 11, 2026
Sir Jim Ratcliffe told Sky News that Britain has been “colonised” by immigrants, arguing high immigration and rising benefit claims are straining the economy. “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” he said. “The UK has been colonised… It’s costing too much money.”
The INEOS founder questioned whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer is suited to make difficult reforms, saying leadership requires someone “prepared to be unpopular.” Drawing parallels with changes at Manchester United, Ratcliffe said tackling immigration and welfare would demand “some things which are unpopular, and show some courage.”