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Migration from EU to UK lowest for four years, ONS figures show Migration from EU to UK lowest for four years, ONS figures show
(about 1 hour later)
The number of people moving to the UK from EU countries was the lowest it's been for nearly four years in 2017. The number of people moving to the UK from EU countries was the lowest it has been for nearly four years in 2017.
There were 101,000 net migrants - showing the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK for at least 12 months and those emigrating - last year, the ONS said. But there was a rise in those coming from outside the EU, the Office for National Statistics said, with net migration the highest since 2011.
For those coming from outside the EU, net migration was the highest it had been since September 2011. Overall net migration, the difference between the number of people coming to live in the UK for at least 12 months and those emigrating, was 282,000.
But there was also a record number of EU citizens emigrating from the UK. The government wants to cut overall net migration to the tens of thousands.
The Office for National Statistics data is for the first full calendar year since the Brexit vote. The ONS data is for the first full calendar year since the Brexit vote.
It showed an estimated 139,000 left in 2017. The only other year when the EU emigration figures came close to that level was in 2008. when 134,000 EU nationals left the UK. While the overall net migration was up by 33,000 on the previous year, statisticians said the figure was "broadly stable".
The net migration figure for those coming to the UK from outside the EU is 227,000. The ONS said there had been an "unusual pattern" in the estimates of non-EU student immigration in 2016, suggesting the rise was in fact an "anomaly".
The government's aim is to cut overall net migration, from the EU and outside the EU, to the tens of thousands. The ONS figures showed there were 101,000 net migrants from the EU last year and 227,000 from outside the EU. The net migration figure for those coming to the UK from outside the EU is 227,000.
There was also a record number of EU citizens emigrating from the UK, with an estimated 139,000 leaving in 2017.
The only other year when the EU emigration figures came close to that level was in 2008. when 134,000 EU nationals left the UK.
'Sustainable levels''Sustainable levels'
The migration report also showed:The migration report also showed:
The ONS said: "The estimated number of EU citizens coming to the UK 'looking for work' continued to decrease over the last year and the number coming to the UK for a definite job has remained stable." "The estimated number of EU citizens coming to the UK 'looking for work' continued to decrease over the last year," said the ONS. "And the number coming to the UK for a definite job has remained stable."
Immigration minister Caroline Noakes said: "What these statistics show is that more of the people who are coming to the UK are coming for the reasons we would want - to take up a definite job or to study. Immigration Minister Caroline Noakes said: "What these statistics show is that more of the people who are coming to the UK are coming for the reasons we would want - to take up a definite job or to study.
"More EU nationals continue to arrive than leave and as the ONS have made clear, net migration has been broadly stable since late 2016. But while it is not unusual to see quarterly ups and downs, we know more needs to be done if we are to bring net migration down to sustainable levels.""More EU nationals continue to arrive than leave and as the ONS have made clear, net migration has been broadly stable since late 2016. But while it is not unusual to see quarterly ups and downs, we know more needs to be done if we are to bring net migration down to sustainable levels."
While net migration is continuing to add to the UK population, the 2017 figure of 282,000 is down from record highs recorded in 2015 and early 2016.While net migration is continuing to add to the UK population, the 2017 figure of 282,000 is down from record highs recorded in 2015 and early 2016.
It is the highest for 18 months, however - and still well above the government target of less than 100,000.It is the highest for 18 months, however - and still well above the government target of less than 100,000.
Emigration has shown a gradual increase since 2015 and is currently around 350,000, the ONS said. Immigration has stayed roughly stable at about 630,000, the report showed.Emigration has shown a gradual increase since 2015 and is currently around 350,000, the ONS said. Immigration has stayed roughly stable at about 630,000, the report showed.
AnalysisAnalysis
By Danny Shaw, BBC home affairs correspondentBy Danny Shaw, BBC home affairs correspondent
Last year, 240,000 people from European Union countries came to live in Britain. The number of EU migrants has been falling since June 2016 - the month of the referendum - and is now at a similar level to mid-2014.Last year, 240,000 people from European Union countries came to live in Britain. The number of EU migrants has been falling since June 2016 - the month of the referendum - and is now at a similar level to mid-2014.
At the same time, emigration of EU nationals from Britain has been steadily increasing and at 139,000 is the highest level on record.At the same time, emigration of EU nationals from Britain has been steadily increasing and at 139,000 is the highest level on record.
The EU emigration figures are a function of the number of EU nationals living in Britain; there are some 3.5 million in the country, so it's to be expected that departure levels are higher now than in the 1970s, '80s and '90s.The EU emigration figures are a function of the number of EU nationals living in Britain; there are some 3.5 million in the country, so it's to be expected that departure levels are higher now than in the 1970s, '80s and '90s.
Nevertheless, the fact they've risen so sharply would appear to be further evidence of the impact of the Brexit vote.Nevertheless, the fact they've risen so sharply would appear to be further evidence of the impact of the Brexit vote.
As for migration from countries outside Europe, 311,000 people arrived in the UK last year - back to levels last seen in 2011.As for migration from countries outside Europe, 311,000 people arrived in the UK last year - back to levels last seen in 2011.
It suggests that even if the government takes greater control of EU migration after Brexit, the challenge of getting the right level of immigration from outside Europe remains.It suggests that even if the government takes greater control of EU migration after Brexit, the challenge of getting the right level of immigration from outside Europe remains.
Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the new figures were "very disappointing", adding: "It's time for the government to get serious about reducing immigration instead of caving into every demand of the immigration lobby."Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said the new figures were "very disappointing", adding: "It's time for the government to get serious about reducing immigration instead of caving into every demand of the immigration lobby."
Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said the data suggests the UK is "still an attractive country, but its allure for EU migrants has declined considerably over the past couple of years".Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said the data suggests the UK is "still an attractive country, but its allure for EU migrants has declined considerably over the past couple of years".
Shadow home secretary Diana Abbott said it was "clear to almost everyone except Theresa May that the net migration target should go". Shadow Home Secretary Diana Abbott said it was "clear to almost everyone except Theresa May that the net migration target should go".
But the prime minister's official spokesman said: "We remain committed to bringing net migration down to sustainable levels, and that is the tens of thousands."But the prime minister's official spokesman said: "We remain committed to bringing net migration down to sustainable levels, and that is the tens of thousands."