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Big net migration fall since Brexit vote, latest estimates show | Big net migration fall since Brexit vote, latest estimates show |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Net migration has fallen to the lowest level for three years after a surge in the number of EU nationals leaving the UK since last June's Brexit vote. | Net migration has fallen to the lowest level for three years after a surge in the number of EU nationals leaving the UK since last June's Brexit vote. |
Net migration - the difference between those entering and leaving the UK - fell 81,000 to 246,000 in the year to March 2017. | Net migration - the difference between those entering and leaving the UK - fell 81,000 to 246,000 in the year to March 2017. |
More than half that change is due to a decrease in net migration of EU citizens, which is down 51,000. | More than half that change is due to a decrease in net migration of EU citizens, which is down 51,000. |
The government is committed to reducing net migration to below 100,000. | The government is committed to reducing net migration to below 100,000. |
The ONS figures show a particularly sharp rise, of 17,000, in departures of citizens from the so-called EU8 countries - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. | The ONS figures show a particularly sharp rise, of 17,000, in departures of citizens from the so-called EU8 countries - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. |
An ONS spokesman said: "These results indicate that the EU referendum result may be influencing people's decision to migrate into and out of the UK, particularly EU and EU8 citizens. | An ONS spokesman said: "These results indicate that the EU referendum result may be influencing people's decision to migrate into and out of the UK, particularly EU and EU8 citizens. |
"It is too early to tell if this is an indication of a long-term trend." | "It is too early to tell if this is an indication of a long-term trend." |
The ONS figures show that immigration from all countries has fallen - and emigration has also risen. | The ONS figures show that immigration from all countries has fallen - and emigration has also risen. |
Exit checks | Exit checks |
International migration for work remains the most likely reason to move, said the ONS, but it added that people are now more likely to move if they have a definite job, rather than to just look for work. | International migration for work remains the most likely reason to move, said the ONS, but it added that people are now more likely to move if they have a definite job, rather than to just look for work. |
A spokesman for the Institute of Directors said "no one should celebrate these numbers". | A spokesman for the Institute of Directors said "no one should celebrate these numbers". |
"Given unemployment is currently at its lowest level ever (4.5%), without the three million EU citizens living here the UK would have an acute labour shortage. | "Given unemployment is currently at its lowest level ever (4.5%), without the three million EU citizens living here the UK would have an acute labour shortage. |
"Signs that it is becoming a less attractive place to live and work are a concern," he added. | "Signs that it is becoming a less attractive place to live and work are a concern," he added. |
The government has also published the first ever "exit checks" data - a proper count of all people who are actually known to have left the UK. | The government has also published the first ever "exit checks" data - a proper count of all people who are actually known to have left the UK. |
For the year to March 2017, the data shows that 97% of students from outside the EU with a visa to enter the UK are known to have complied with the terms of their visa by either departing the UK or remaining in the country by extending their visas. | |
It is not clear what had happened to the remaining 3% whose visas had expired. | It is not clear what had happened to the remaining 3% whose visas had expired. |
The data also shows that 95% of international students either leave at the end of their studies or are given permission to stay on for some other reason. | The data also shows that 95% of international students either leave at the end of their studies or are given permission to stay on for some other reason. |
This previously unknown figure runs contrary to repeated claims that international students are abusing the immigration system to stay illegally in the UK. | This previously unknown figure runs contrary to repeated claims that international students are abusing the immigration system to stay illegally in the UK. |
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