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| Britain's foreign-born population has 'almost certainly passed eight million' for the first time | Britain's foreign-born population has 'almost certainly passed eight million' for the first time |
| (4 months later) | |
| Britain's foreign-born population has almost certainly passed eight million for the first time, according to experts. | Britain's foreign-born population has almost certainly passed eight million for the first time, according to experts. |
| Official figures due to be released on Thursday are likely to show the landmark was reached last year, analysts at The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said. | Official figures due to be released on Thursday are likely to show the landmark was reached last year, analysts at The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford said. |
| The forecast comes with ministers already braced for confirmation that net migration into the UK is at an all time high. | The forecast comes with ministers already braced for confirmation that net migration into the UK is at an all time high. |
| Previous data showed that in 2013 there were 7.9 million people living in the UK who were born overseas. | Previous data showed that in 2013 there were 7.9 million people living in the UK who were born overseas. |
| Madeleine Sumption, director of the observatory, said: "Given that we know net migration has been running in the hundreds of thousands since 2013, it would be surprising if the foreign-born population didn't go above eight million. | Madeleine Sumption, director of the observatory, said: "Given that we know net migration has been running in the hundreds of thousands since 2013, it would be surprising if the foreign-born population didn't go above eight million. |
| "The numbers have gone up steadily over time." | "The numbers have gone up steadily over time." |
| Immigration figures will also be published alongside the population data. | Immigration figures will also be published alongside the population data. |
| They could show the key measure of net migration - the difference between the number of people entering minus the number leaving - has reached a record level. | |
| It will mean the Government's record on the issue and the Tories' aim to bring the figure under 100,000 come under intense scrutiny again. | It will mean the Government's record on the issue and the Tories' aim to bring the figure under 100,000 come under intense scrutiny again. |
| Previous statistics showed that 2.7m of the foreign-born population were born in EU countries, while 5.2m were from nations outside the bloc. | Previous statistics showed that 2.7m of the foreign-born population were born in EU countries, while 5.2m were from nations outside the bloc. |
| The total of 7.9 million indicated that one in eight people living in the UK was born abroad and was a jump of 50.7% compared to nine years earlier. | The total of 7.9 million indicated that one in eight people living in the UK was born abroad and was a jump of 50.7% compared to nine years earlier. |
| However, the rate of increase in the foreign-born population has slowed in recent years - rising by 5.9% in 2011, 2.1% in 2012 and 1.3% in 2013. | However, the rate of increase in the foreign-born population has slowed in recent years - rising by 5.9% in 2011, 2.1% in 2012 and 1.3% in 2013. |
| Ms Sumption said that since 2004, EU migration has increased by more than non EU migration in percentage terms. | |
| "Traditionally most immigration to the UK has been of non-EU citizens," she said. | "Traditionally most immigration to the UK has been of non-EU citizens," she said. |
| "It remains the case that non-EU citizens make up a substantial share of the total, but recently the share of EU migration has approached about half of all non British migration, which is unusual by recent historical standards." | "It remains the case that non-EU citizens make up a substantial share of the total, but recently the share of EU migration has approached about half of all non British migration, which is unusual by recent historical standards." |
| Expansion of the EU and the relatively fast recovery of Britain's economy are seen as key factors in the trend. | Expansion of the EU and the relatively fast recovery of Britain's economy are seen as key factors in the trend. |
| "In the last few years we have had a situation where the UK economy recovered a bit faster than in the other EU countries," said Ms Sumption. | "In the last few years we have had a situation where the UK economy recovered a bit faster than in the other EU countries," said Ms Sumption. |
| Today, the Government announced fresh details of its new Immigration Bill, which is due to be introduced in the autumn. | Today, the Government announced fresh details of its new Immigration Bill, which is due to be introduced in the autumn. |
| Under the legislation, illegal immigrants caught working in the UK could face up to six months in prison and late-night takeaways and off-licences facing closure if they are found employing foreigners who have no legal right to be in the country. | Under the legislation, illegal immigrants caught working in the UK could face up to six months in prison and late-night takeaways and off-licences facing closure if they are found employing foreigners who have no legal right to be in the country. |
| Details of the legislation were revealed after the Government faced criticism for its handling of the Calais crisis and days before the release of the latest immigration figures. | Details of the legislation were revealed after the Government faced criticism for its handling of the Calais crisis and days before the release of the latest immigration figures. |
| The last set of data showed that net long-term migration - the number of people entering the country minus the number leaving - was 318,000 in 2014. | The last set of data showed that net long-term migration - the number of people entering the country minus the number leaving - was 318,000 in 2014. |
| Only a small increase would be needed in the new statistics to surpass the highest figure on record, which was 320,000 in the year to June 2005. | Only a small increase would be needed in the new statistics to surpass the highest figure on record, which was 320,000 in the year to June 2005. |
| Alp Mehmet, of Migration Watch UK, said: "This very rapid increase in our population is the direct consequence of Labour's mass immigration which the coalition were unable to bring under control. | Alp Mehmet, of Migration Watch UK, said: "This very rapid increase in our population is the direct consequence of Labour's mass immigration which the coalition were unable to bring under control. |
| "The Government must now get a grip of the student route which is the major avenue for non-EU migration. They must also renegotiate access to Britain by EU migrants, particularly those coming for low wage employment." | "The Government must now get a grip of the student route which is the major avenue for non-EU migration. They must also renegotiate access to Britain by EU migrants, particularly those coming for low wage employment." |
| "What is certain is that far more resources are needed to get immigration back under control." | "What is certain is that far more resources are needed to get immigration back under control." |
| Press Association | Press Association |
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