This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36271390

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
EU referendum: Migrant job data to be published ONS suggests UK has had spike in short-term migration
(about 9 hours later)
Statistics which MPs and economists believe will shed more light on the full scale of EU migration into the UK are set to be published. A big gap between official immigration figures and the number of EU migrants registering for National Insurance numbers has been put down to an increase in short-term immigration.
The release of data on the number of National Insurance numbers actively used by EU citizens comes six weeks ahead of June's EU referendum. An analysis by the Office for National Statistics suggests large numbers of people came to the UK for a short period of time over the past two years.
Leave campaigners argue official figures on inward migration from the EU vastly underestimate the true numbers. They were not picked up by the official immigration statistics.
Revenue and Customs said it would give a "fuller picture" of migration trends. These only measure people who say they will be in the UK for a year or more.
Those campaigning to leave the EU argue official figures on inward migration from the EU vastly underestimate the true numbers.
Voters will decide on 23 June whether the UK should remain in the EU or leave, with immigration a key battleground in the campaign.Voters will decide on 23 June whether the UK should remain in the EU or leave, with immigration a key battleground in the campaign.
Those campaigning to leave the EU argue the UK cannot control levels of migration from Europe - which have risen sharply in the past decade - while remaining a member and abiding by the EU's rules on the free movement of people.Those campaigning to leave the EU argue the UK cannot control levels of migration from Europe - which have risen sharply in the past decade - while remaining a member and abiding by the EU's rules on the free movement of people.
But Remain supporters say the UK, which is not a member of the passport-free Schengen area, does have controls in place and curbs on future in-work benefits for EU migrants negotiated by David Cameron will reduce the "pull factors" attracting people to the UK.But Remain supporters say the UK, which is not a member of the passport-free Schengen area, does have controls in place and curbs on future in-work benefits for EU migrants negotiated by David Cameron will reduce the "pull factors" attracting people to the UK.
MPs have been pushing for information about the number of EU nationals who have paid income tax and NI and received benefits over the last year to be published, as well as information about the nationalities of new NI applicants over the past four years. MPs have been pushing for information about the number of EU nationals who have paid income tax and NI and received benefits over the past year to be published, as well as information about the nationalities of new NI applicants over the past four years.
They say details of how many NI numbers - which are issued to those entitled to study or work to help pay tax and benefits - are being actively used will show the current impact of EU migration on the UK economy and labour market.They say details of how many NI numbers - which are issued to those entitled to study or work to help pay tax and benefits - are being actively used will show the current impact of EU migration on the UK economy and labour market.
The Office for National Statistics says its analysis will examine available data on the difference between the registration of National Insurance numbers to adult overseas nationals, and estimates of long-term international migration derived from its International Passenger Survey. National Insurance numbers
Almost every adult resident in the UK is given a unique code, made up of letters and numbers, that they keep for life. People born in Britain are allocated a National Insurance shortly before their 16th birthday.
It is meant to ensure tax and National Insurance contributions are properly recorded against their name. It also enables access to the social security system.
Everyone coming to the UK to work must apply for a National Insurance number.
The Office for National Statistics analysis examines available data on the difference between the registration of National Insurance numbers to adult overseas nationals, and estimates of long-term international migration derived from its International Passenger Survey.
The latest ONS figures suggest that 257,000 EU migrants came to the UK between September 2014 and September 2015.The latest ONS figures suggest that 257,000 EU migrants came to the UK between September 2014 and September 2015.
These figures are based on face-to-face surveys of passengers arriving in the UK at air and sea ports and have been criticised for not being accurate enough.
But other figures for the same period show 630,000 National Insurance numbers were allocated to EU nationals, up 7% on the year before. Of these, 209,000 were from Bulgaria and Romania.But other figures for the same period show 630,000 National Insurance numbers were allocated to EU nationals, up 7% on the year before. Of these, 209,000 were from Bulgaria and Romania.
The ONS has previously said its figures include migrants only in the UK for a short period and are not a "direct measure" of when they arrived in the UK, pointing out many Bulgarians and Romanians may have been living and working on a self-employed basis for several years.The ONS has previously said its figures include migrants only in the UK for a short period and are not a "direct measure" of when they arrived in the UK, pointing out many Bulgarians and Romanians may have been living and working on a self-employed basis for several years.
Economist Jonathan Portes - who first requested the information - said it would show how many EU nationals getting NI numbers in the past four years had remained and what economic contribution they made vis-a-vis the cost to the taxpayer.Economist Jonathan Portes - who first requested the information - said it would show how many EU nationals getting NI numbers in the past four years had remained and what economic contribution they made vis-a-vis the cost to the taxpayer.
Ministers have sought to explain the discrepancy between the ONS and the NI figures by arguing many workers applying for National Insurance numbers are only in the UK for short-term work. According to the British Labour Force Survey, there are now two million EU nationals in the UK workforce, a sharp rise on four years ago.Ministers have sought to explain the discrepancy between the ONS and the NI figures by arguing many workers applying for National Insurance numbers are only in the UK for short-term work. According to the British Labour Force Survey, there are now two million EU nationals in the UK workforce, a sharp rise on four years ago.
The Conservatives have consistently missed their target of reducing net migration - the difference between the number of people leaving and arriving - in the UK to below 100,000. The latest figure, for the year to September, was 323,000.The Conservatives have consistently missed their target of reducing net migration - the difference between the number of people leaving and arriving - in the UK to below 100,000. The latest figure, for the year to September, was 323,000.