Baby talk

I was struck by the fact James plucked out of that Newsweek article – that “every second child in London is born to an immigrant mother.” Could it really be true? Silly question –Newsweek is known for its accuracy, and originality. The data is in Table 9.2 of this Office of National Statistics Excel file – 53% of London births are to immigrant mothers. In Newham, it’s 74%. In Kensington & Chelsea, it’s 68%. The least is in Staffordshire, 7%. For some reason, the ONS also calculates fertility rates: a UK-born women has on average 1.6 kids – it’s 3.9 for a woman born in Bangladesh but living here. And 98% of UK births to Bangladeshi women are within wedlock, against 51% for the UK. And I have to say, this is one area of UK culture where I’m pleased immigrants aren’t assimilating.

PS In the interests of full disclosure, I should say that I’ll be adding to these figures when my immigrant wife gives birth in December.