Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has stirred controversy by asserting that Britain has been ‘colonised’ by immigrants, which he claims is placing a financial strain on the nation.

The 73-year-old industrialist also expressed skepticism about Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s capability to effectively lead the country, suggesting that Starmer might be “too nice” for the role in a recent groundbreaking interview.

Speaking to Sky News ahead of the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium, Ratcliffe remarked, “You can’t sustain an economy with nine million people on benefits alongside a large influx of immigrants.”

He elaborated, saying, “In essence, the UK has been colonised. It’s financially unsustainable. The UK population was 58 million back in 2020 and is now 70 million. That’s an increase of 12 million people.”

Ratcliffe further commented, “I’m uncertain if it’s the system preventing Keir from making changes, or if it’s his nature—Keir is genuinely a nice person.”

He concluded, “I like him, but leading the UK is a formidable task, requiring difficult decisions to restore the economy, which I believe is currently struggling.”

The population of the UK was estimated to have been 70 million in mid-2024, according to the Office of National Statistics, three million higher than that recorded during 2020. 

65,922 migrants have reached the United Kingdom since Starmer’s time on Downing Street began in July 2024 – that’s more than under any other PM in history. 

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has claimed that Britain has been ‘colonised’ by immigrants he says are ‘costing too much money’

The 73-year-old businessman also revealed that he is unsure whether Sir Keir Starmer is the right man for Prime Minister

Sir Keir has come under mounting pressure and this week endured the toughest stint of 18 months in office amid the scandal which saw Lord Peter Mandelson resign from government.  

He faced calls to resign from opposition leaders and, in a damning turn of events, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also pleaded with him to walk away on Monday. 

But at a meeting with his Parliamentary Labour Party later that evening, the Prime Minister affirmed that he has no intentions to give up. 

Earlier on Monday he had received backing from both Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves which strengthened his position. Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham has also since shared his support for the under-pressure PM. 

In his new interview, Sir Jim revealed that he has met with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who he describes as ‘an intelligent man’.  

He added: ‘I think he’s got good intentions. But, in way, you could say exactly the same about Keir Starmer. 

‘I think it needs somebody who’s prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted.’ 

One of Britain’s richest men, Ratcliffe has been widely unpopular with Man United fans since purchasing his stake in the club on December 24, 2023. His group also owns Ligue 1 side Nice after completing a takeover deal in 2019.

He is estimated to be worth around £17billion, according to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2025, making him the seventh wealthiest person in the country. 

Ratcliffe has been widely unpopular with Man United fans since purchasing his stake in the club on December 24, 2023

65,922 migrants have reached the United Kingdom since Starmer’s time on Downing Street began in July 2024 – that’s more than under any other PM in history

However in the last year alone, the Lancashire-born business owner has seen his riches decline from by some £6billion, likely due to the expenses of running United.

‘I’ve been very unpopular at Manchester United because we’ve made lots of changes,’ he admitted. ‘But, for the better, in my view. I think we’re beginning to see some evidence in the football club that that’s beginning to pay off.’ 

The 219 migrants who reached British shores on Sunday saw February 8 saw the total who have entered Britain under Starmer’s supremacy surpass the number under Boris Johnson.  

One of Sir Keir’s first acts in office after the 2024 general election was scrapping the previous government’s Rwanda asylum deal.

The programme had been designed to deter crossings – and save lives – by sending migrants to the east African country to claim asylum there rather than here.

Labour’s flagship policy is a ‘one in, one out’ deal with France which allows a small number of migrants to be sent back across the Channel. 

The Lord Mandelson scandal brought Starmer’s tenure in government to the brink of disaster and preceded the resignations of a number of his most senior figures. 

After the disgraced Mandelson walked away to ‘avoid further embarrassment’, the PM’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney handed in his resignation on Sunday. 

McSweeney had been influential in the appointment of Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US – a decision he admitted was ‘wrong’ in a farewell statement. 

Later, Starmer’s communications director Tim Allen quit on Monday to ‘let a new team’ take over in Number 10, he said. 

Despite the Labour leader seemingly strengthening his position following a meeting with his party later that day, fresh doubts have since been cast over his judgement. 

Sir Keir’s woes deepened amid claims he went ahead with a peerage for ex-communications chief Tim Allen despite knowing about his ties to paedophile councillor Sean Morton.  

He has apologised for campaigning for Morton in 2017 – after the latter had been charged over indecent images of children – saying he believed his friend’s assertions of innocence.

Party chair Anna Turley is calling for Lord Doyle to be kicked out of the Upper House, insisting he did not tell the truth before being elevated by Sir Keir.

No 10 is adamant Lord Doyle’s actions were not known when the peerage was announced on December 10 last year.

However, there are mounting questions about the timeline, with the Sunday Times having claimed that No 10 looked into the issues beforehand.

The situation has been likened to that of Peter Mandelson, with the PM’s allies blaming the vetting system for letting him down. 

Asked about the situation during a tour of broadcast studios this morning, education minister Georgia Gould said: ‘I think the decision, the announcement was made on December 10. I think the story was later in the month.

‘But I think the Prime Minister has looked at this afresh, given the commitment that he has made to ensure the highest standards in public life.’

In an earlier statement, Lord Doyle apologised ‘unreservedly’ for supporting Moray councillor Morton before the case against him had concluded.  

He said he also had ‘extremely limited’ contact with Morton after his conviction.  

The Scottish National Party had objected to Lord Doyle’s peerage and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called on Sir Keir to publish ‘vetting advice and due diligence’ reports provided before his appointment to the Lords.

Labour had suspended Morton after he appeared in court in connection with indecent child images in late 2016.

Lord Doyle campaigned for Morton when he ran as an Independent in May 2017.

Morton admitted having indecent images of children in November 2017.