Sir Jim Ratcliffe insisted Britain must "maintain an open debate" on migration as he apologised for his "choice of language". The billionaire, who part-owns Manchester United, faced fierce criticism after claiming the country has been "colonised by immigrants".

But he stressed it is "important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Sir Jim's comments were "offensive and wrong", while the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, branded the claims "inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory".

But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hit back and defended Sir Jim's comments.

He said: "Jim Ratcliffe, one of the richest Britons in the World... has caused outrage by his comments. But what has he actually said?

"He said our population has gone up from 58 million to 70 million, with nine million people of working age on benefits, we don't need mass migration.

"And he said Britain had been colonised by immigrants. That word is a controversial word. But ask yourself, why have public services diminished? You ask yourself why rents have gone through the roof. The population explosion has done that.

"Then you look at parts of London for example, where the road names, the underground signs, aren't just in English. One million people living in this country don't speak any English. Four million speak barely passable English.

"That is the point he is making. Big areas of our towns and cities have been changed into something completely different. And it is making us all poorer.

"I don't really care if Number 10 is in uproar. I believe, firmly, that Jim Ratcliffe is right."

While former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said Sir Jim is "right", adding "many areas of Britain are now totally unrecognisable".

The businessman, one of Britain's richest men, said in a statement on Thursday: "I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.

"My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.

"My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone.

"It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK."

A staggering 1 in 30 people have arrived since 2021, with some 1.6 million expected to receive indefinite leave to remain over the next five years, which would allow them to claim benefits and secure a social home.

Net migration surged to a record high of 944,000 in the year ending March 2023, up from 764,000 in 2022. In the year to June 2024, it dropped to 649,000.

Sir Jim warned on Wednesday night: "You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.

"I mean, the UK has been colonised. It's costing too much money.

"The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn't it? The population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it's 70 million. That's 12 million people."

Sir Jim's blistering intervention came after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned many low-skilled foreign nationals "may require assistance from the state".

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "People will squabble about terminology but Jim Ratcliffe is right.

"Many areas of Britain are now totally unrecognisable compared to 50, 20 or even 10 years ago.

"My parents came to the UK in the 1960s with only love in their hearts for our country and all the opportunities it gave to them. They served. They integrated.

"That's why the unprecedented levels of mass migration today make me so angry.

"The British people have seen how their streets have changed, how multiculturalism has failed and their sense of pride and of history has been altered and distorted.

"They have been called racist for speaking the truth. But Britain's culture and resources have been eroded. Terminology is not the problem. Mass migration is the problem."

Sir Keir said Sir Jim's comments were "offensive and wrong" before adding: "Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country."

Fears that the immigration crisis could lead to a higher welfare bill were laid bare after experts from Oxford University's Migration Observatory said asylum claims made up 44% of net migration in the year to June.

And separate research carried out by the Home Office showed more than half of refugees are unemployed. The employment rate amongst refugees reaches 45% after two years and 48% after eight, increasing fears they will cost the taxpayer even more in benefits.

Of the 110,000 protection claims, 41% (45,183) arrived on a small boat.

And Sir Jim said Labour must be prepared to make "unpopular" changes.

But Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: "I wouldn't use that term colonised. I think it's pejorative and suggests there's some kind of huge negativity around the motivations of those people that come here. And I don't think that's the case across the piece.

"But he is referencing something that is of great concern to millions of people up and down the country, that migration has been too high for too long.

"When we were in government, we were doing something about that at the tail end of the Conservative government. We've seen those figures coming down as a consequence of our action.

"But we do need to be very aware of the impact that migration has, particularly illegal migration, which the Government is showing no signs of being able to control."