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The early 20th century was a period of growing tension in the world and growing anti-immigrant feeling in the UK. The 1905 Aliens Act severely restricted immigration, the first of many laws to do so in the 20th century. In the years that followed 1905, immigration levels were low. Although the Aliens Act restricted immigration, it still allowed entry to refugees.

World War One brought a sharp rise in nationalism and violence directed against German and Austrian residents, especially after a German submarine sank a passenger ship, the Lusitania, in 1915. Many German shops and businesses were attacked and 32,000 Germans and Austrians were taken away and interned, and their wealth seized by the government.

During World War One, about 250,000 Belgian refugees came to Britain to escape German invasion. In general they were warmly received, although there were some tensions because British people suffering hardship felt the refugees were living in better conditions than them. Resettlement centres were set up in places such as Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre and Alexandra Palace in London. Some went to live with families, while others went to live in specially built camps. There was even a purpose built Belgian village in Tyne and Wear with its own school, shops and churches. Most returned to Belgium after the war.