British Immigration Policy Since 1939

This article provides a history of British immigration policy, from pre-World War Two to the present day. It covers the origins of the policy, as well as the development of the Commonwealth Immigrants Act of 1962, which changed the way that immigrants were accepted into the UK. The article is written from a sociological perspective, and is intended for historians, political scientists, and those studying public and social policy.

This is the first survey of British immigration policy to include both its pre-World War Two origins and its development after the crucial 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act. It is an accessible introduction to a subject of increasing popularity with students and academics. It also integrates the results of extensive archival research. Offering a different perspective to sociological approaches, British Immigration Policy since 1939 will be of interest to historians, political scientists, and those studying public and social policy. Review: ... Spencer's work contains the most detailed and sustained investigation of cabinet deliberations....The work offers intriguing evidence.... - American Historical Review