Recognition
We’re working towards recognition of Latin Americans in the UK.
We have been working 14 years to get Latin Americans recognised in local and national statistics, now we are working towards the inclusion of a “Latin American” ethnic category in the 2031 Census.
How many Latin Americans are there in the UK?
We know there is at least half a million Latin Americans in the United Kingdom as of 2020. However we know this number is an undercount, because it excludes those born in the UK and Europe who have Latin American parents. The true number could be about 30%, or 135,000 more people. To put this into perspective, that would be approximately the population of Epping Forest council.
We don’t know the real size of the Latin American population in the UK. Despite this, we know Latin Americans are one of the largest and fastest growing ethnic migrant groups in the UK. A category in the census would help us deliver better services to those who are currently invisible.
We're updating you on our campaign every month
Local wins have shown that recognition works. Now we need to make it count everywhere—and we need you support to get there. We have made a template which you can use to write to your MP about supporting the campaign.
This campaign work wouldn’t mean anything without the people supporting us. We’re updating you on our big wins and key dates through our newsletter.
History of Migration and Community Formation
Since the 1970s, Latin Americans in the UK have arrived in waves and made their lives in the country, becoming part of Britain’s public life through thriving markets, cultural initiatives and community organisations.
Beginning with Chileans escaping persecution during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, and later on in the 1980s and towards the end of the millennium with Colombian migrants fleeing turmoil at home, the influx from the region has incrementally led to the formation of highly diverse and culturally rich communities in the UK.
Within this diversity, Brazilians and Colombians are the two largest nationality groups, with sizeable proportions of Ecuadorians, Bolivians, Peruvians, Argentinians, Mexicans, and Venezuelans.
While the community has traditionally concentrated in London, there has been movement and new pockets of Latin American communities emerging beyond in other parts of the country, particularly in Manchester, Leeds, Brighton, as well as more broadly in Scotland and Wales.
Notably, the vast majority of public knowledge on Latin Americans has come from the buzzing cultural and economic contribution of Latin restaurants, businesses, festivals, and other initiatives that have sprung out where the community exists. Yet an important frontier remains in terms of the visibility of Latin Americans in the face of public institutions and policy making.
Towards a nationwide and UK Census recognition
Starting with the idea that being counted in official statistics matters to achieve meaningful integration of migrants, Latin Americans across pioneering organisations came together under the umbrella of CLAUK to gain official recognition as an ethnic group. In particular, the Coalition sought the inclusion of the category ‘Latin American’ in ethnic monitoring and pursuing the implementation of that recognition in borough consultations, council community engagement, and representation in local services.
The local recognition campaign began in Southwark in 2012 — the first London borough to officially include Latin Americans as an ethnic group in its data collection. CLAUK led a sustained programme of evidence-building, council engagement, deputation to elected bodies, and community mobilisation to achieve that recognition. The model was then replicated across other boroughs.
Councils and public bodies that now include Latin American as a monitoring category:
- Southwark Council (2012)
- Lambeth Council (2013)
- Islington Council (2015)
- Greater London Authority (2015)
- Hackney Council (2015)
- Newham Council (2021)
- Haringey Council (2025)
- Lewisham Council (in progress)
Other institutions and public bodies:
- Arts Council England
- Bank of England
- London Fire Brigade
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust
- UNISON
- UNITE
- King’s College London
- Queen Mary University of London
- Whitechapel Gallery
Working alongside academic partners and community leaders, CLAUK has responded to multiple public consultations from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) since 2012. The request has been consistent and clear: the inclusion of a single, standalone ethnic group category, widely supported by the community and reflecting decades of high-quality service provision built under this identity.
Recognition is a first step of many in the search for better living conditions and access to rights for Latin American migrants. We are committed to continue informing public understanding of the presence and needs of Latin Americans, as the community remains invisible, under registered and underrepresented in the policy, strategy, and practice of the country. We hope to continue working together with local authorities, central government, and other migrant-led and Latin American organisations to bring about positive change.
For Parliamentarians and Local Authorities
CLAUK works with parliamentarians, local councils, and public bodies to advance the recognition and inclusion of Latin Americans in policy, data, and service provision across the UK.
Briefings and consultation responses – We produce briefings for MPs and peers to help inform and shape debates in the House of Commons and the House of Lords on issues affecting Latin American communities in the United Kingdom. These include: ethnic recognition, labour rights, and access to public services. We also respond to public consultations, from the Office for National Statistics on the Census, to parliamentary committees and local authority equality schemes, to ensure the voice of our communities is heard in decision-making.
Recognition achieved
Through our sustained campaigning, the following councils and public bodies now include Latin American as a monitoring category:
Southwark Council (2012), Lambeth Council (2013), Islington Council (2015), Greater London Authority (2015), Hackney Council (2015), Newham Council, Haringey Council (2025), and Lewisham Council (in progress). Recognition has also been adopted by Arts Council England, Bank of England, London Fire Brigade, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust, UNISON and UNITE, King’s College London and Queen Mary University of London, and Whitechapel Gallery.
If your council or organisation is interested in including Latin American as a monitoring category, please get in touch.
If you are a parliamentarian, councillor, or local authority officer and would like to work with us, please contact us at info@clauk.org.uk.