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Migration to UK from EU falls to lowest level for four years, says ONS Migration to UK from EU falls to lowest level for four years, says ONS
(35 minutes later)
The number of people moving to the UK from EU countries has plunged to its lowest level for four years in the wake of the Brexit vote, according to official figures.Data from the Office for National Statistics released on Monday shows that net long-term migration to the UK from the EU was 101,000 in 2017, which is the lowest level since the year ending March 2013. The number of people moving to the UK from EU countries has fallen to the lowest level for four years, according to official figures.
The figures show that the government remains a long way from meeting its “objective” to cut overall net migration to the tens of thousands. Data from the Office for National Statistics released on Monday showed net long-term migration to the UK from the EU was 101,000 in 2017 – the lowest level since the year ending March 2013.
But the continuing downward trend will also concern business leaders and employers who have claimed that the fall in immigration is costing the economy billions of pounds a year. The figures showed the government remains a long way from meeting its “objective” to cut overall net migration to the tens of thousands.
The figures show that overall, about 280,000 more people came to the UK than left in 2017.While net migration continues to add to the UK population, that figure is down from record highs recorded in 2015 and early 2016. But the continuing downward trend will also concern business leaders and employers, who have claimed the drop in immigration is costing the economy billions of pounds a year.
Emigration – the act of leaving the UK – has shown a gradual increase since 2015 and is approximately 350,000. Immigration has stayed stable at about 630,000, the report showed.Net migration from countries outside the EU – the difference between the number immigrating and those emigrating – rose to 227,000, the highest since September 2010. Overall, the data showed about 280,000 more people came to the UK than left in 2017.
The figures also appear to confirm reports from the fruit-picking industry and social care employers that there has been a drop in those applying to come to the UK from within the EU. The number of EU citizens coming to look for work was 37,000, a fall of 18,000 on the previous year and a continuing downward trend since June 2016. While net migration continues to add to the UK population, the figure is down from record highs recorded in 2015 and early 2016.
The net migration figure of 282,000 in the year to December 2017 compared with 249,000 in year to the end of December 2016, the new figures said. There has been a gradual increase in emigration since 2015 to approximately 350,000. Immigration has stayed stable at about 630,000, the report showed.
Net migration from countries outside the EU rose to 227,000, the highest level since September 2010.
The figures also appeared to confirm reports from the fruit-picking industry and social care employers that there has been a drop in the number of people applying to come to the UK from within the EU. The number of EU citizens moving to look for work was 37,000, a fall of 18,000 on the previous year and a continuing downward trend since June 2016.
The net migration figure of 282,000 in the year to December 2017 compared with 249,000 in year to the end of December 2016, the figures showed.
The number of non-EU citizens coming to the UK for work-related reasons was 87,000, up by 21,000 on the previous year, according to the data.The number of non-EU citizens coming to the UK for work-related reasons was 87,000, up by 21,000 on the previous year, according to the data.
The target of reducing it to tens of thousands was set by David Cameron at the beginning of the coalition government in 2010, but that figure has never been met.Sajid Javid, the home secretary, is thought to be reluctant to maintain a target figure which was set when Theresa May was in charge of the home office. In January, the home affairs select committee urged the government to drop the target on the grounds that failure to meet it “undermines” public trust. The MPs also said fears about the scale of illegal immigration have grown because of a lack of official data. The target of reducing net migration to the tens of thousands was set by David Cameron at the beginning of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010, but the figure has never been met.
Appearing before the committee last week, Javid failed to endorse the figures. Asked whether the immigration target was a “massive chain around your neck” and whether he wanted to “ditch it”, the home secretary smiled and replied: “next question”. Sajid Javid, the home secretary, is thought to be reluctant to maintain a target that was set when Theresa May was in charge of the Home Office.
In January, the home affairs select committee urged the government to drop the target on the grounds that failing to meet it “undermines” public trust. MPs on the committee also said fears about the scale of illegal immigration have grown because of a lack of official data.
Appearing before the committee last week, Javid did not endorse the figures. Asked whether the immigration target was a “massive chain around your neck” and whether he wanted to ditch it, the home secretary smiled and replied: “Next question”.
The thinktank Global Britain claimed last week that the fall in immigration is already costing the UK more than £1bn a year.The thinktank Global Britain claimed last week that the fall in immigration is already costing the UK more than £1bn a year.
Diane Abbott MP, the shadow home secretary, said: “As this data shows, the government’s net migration target is utterly misconceived. It has never been met and the government’s most recent efforts to meet it led to the Windrush scandal, and deporting our own citizens. Diane Abbott, the shadow home secretary, said: “As this data shows, the government’s net migration target is utterly misconceived. It has never been met and the government’s most recent efforts to meet it led to the Windrush scandal, and deporting our own citizens.
“Like the ‘hostile environment’, it’s clear to almost everyone except Theresa May that the net migration target should go.”“Like the ‘hostile environment’, it’s clear to almost everyone except Theresa May that the net migration target should go.”
Immigration and asylumImmigration and asylum
Office for National StatisticsOffice for National Statistics
EuropeEurope
ConservativesConservatives
Theresa MayTheresa May
David CameronDavid Cameron
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