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Eastern European migration falls Eastern European migration falls
(20 minutes later)
The number of immigrants entering the UK from Central and Eastern Europe has continued to fall, according to the latest figures.The number of immigrants entering the UK from Central and Eastern Europe has continued to fall, according to the latest figures.
Provisional numbers from the Office for National Statistics suggest the number of people from these countries fell by a third in the year to June 2009.Provisional numbers from the Office for National Statistics suggest the number of people from these countries fell by a third in the year to June 2009.
There were 68,000 new arrivals from the new European Union states, compared with 100,000 in the year to June 2008.There were 68,000 new arrivals from the new European Union states, compared with 100,000 in the year to June 2008.
Figures show there was little change in long-term immigration or emigration.Figures show there was little change in long-term immigration or emigration.
The statistics also show that the number of asylum seekers has fallen significantly for the second quarter.The statistics also show that the number of asylum seekers has fallen significantly for the second quarter.
In the three months until the end of 2009, there were 4,765 asylum applications, down 30% on the same period of 2008.In the three months until the end of 2009, there were 4,765 asylum applications, down 30% on the same period of 2008.
The number of unauthorised migrants who voluntarily left or who were deported was 16,340 between October and December - down 3% on the previous year. The number of unauthorised migrants who were either deported or voluntarily left the UK in 2009 was 64,750 - about 3,000 less than in the previous year.
Polish decline
Other figures show that the number of people seeking British citizenship rose by almost a third in the last quarter of 2009, reaching 51,315. Almost 45,000 people who had applied were granted a British passport over the same three months.Other figures show that the number of people seeking British citizenship rose by almost a third in the last quarter of 2009, reaching 51,315. Almost 45,000 people who had applied were granted a British passport over the same three months.
The government uses a variety of statistics to monitor immigration rates, including the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) which counts economic migrants from eight central and eastern European members of the EU.
There were 28,495 WRS applications in the last quarter of the year - down slightly on the previous year - and almost half the rate in the last three months of 2007.
The number of approved workers from Poland fell to 12,125, down from 16,970 in the previous year - but that was offset by a rise in applications from Latvian and Lithuanian workers.
Separate figures for the number of National Insurance numbers - meaning people who are probably employed and paying tax - show there were 186,000 issued for central and Eastern European workers in the year to June 2009.
That was 36% down than the previous year. The Office for National Statistics said the number of numbers issued to these EU workers has continued to fall since then.