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Net migration to UK in 2010 at record high Net migration to UK in 2010 at record high
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Annual net migration to the UK in 2010 was 252,000 - the highest calendar year figure on record, figures show.Annual net migration to the UK in 2010 was 252,000 - the highest calendar year figure on record, figures show.
The data from the Office for National Statistics showed immigration remained steady at 591,000 but there was a drop in the number of people leaving the UK. The data from the Office for National Statistics showed immigration remained steady at 591,000, but there was a drop in the number of people leaving the UK.
Provisional data from the ONS for the 12 months to the end of March suggest net migration has since fallen slightly to 245,000. Provisional data from the ONS for the 12 months to the end of March suggests net migration has since fallen slightly to 245,000.
The government has pledged to cut net migration to tens of thousands by 2015.The government has pledged to cut net migration to tens of thousands by 2015.
The figures show the emigration of British citizens was at its lowest since 1998 at 136,000.The figures show the emigration of British citizens was at its lowest since 1998 at 136,000.
Overall, emigration was at its lowest for 10 years with just 339,000 people leaving the UK. Emigration for work fell to its lowest level since 2006, reflecting the challenging global ecomonic environment. Overall, emigration was at its lowest for 10 years with just 339,000 people leaving the UK. Emigration for work fell to its lowest level since 2006, reflecting the challenging global economic environment. The previous record high for net migration was 245,000 in 2004 - although one mid-year estimate topped that the following year.
The previous record high for net migration was 245,000 in 2004 - although there was also a mid-year estimate that the figure topped 260,000 the following summer. href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/taxonomy/index.html?nscl=International+Migration" >The ONS figures show that net migration of people from the eight central and eastern European EU nations increased. Education remains the most common reason for people to come to the UK from all parts of the world. Some 238,000 people arrived to study in the UK during 2010, the highest calendar year figure on record, although provisional figurse for March 2011 suggest it may have begun to fall.
The figures show that net migration of people from the eight central and eastern European EU nations increased to almost 50,000 after substantial falls during the credit crunch.
Education remains the most common reason for people migrating to the UK. Some 238,000 people arrived to study in the UK during 2010, the highest calendar year figure on record.
However, provisional figures for March 2011 show that it has fallen by 7,000 from this high.
The government's net migration target - to cut the total to tens of thousands by the end of the Parliament - is the balance between the number of people who come to live in the UK for the long-term and the number who are leaving.The government's net migration target - to cut the total to tens of thousands by the end of the Parliament - is the balance between the number of people who come to live in the UK for the long-term and the number who are leaving.
It does not include short-term immigration, such as students who come for just short of a year. Figures show that there was an increase in the arrival of people from outside the EU during 2010, reaching 322,000. Experts at Oxford University href="http://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/press-releases/over-net-government%E2%80%99s-policy-changes-likely-miss-%E2%80%9Ctens-thousands%E2%80%9D-net-migration-targe" >have already predicted that the government is likely to miss its own target by 65,000 because it cannot control EU migration and changes in emigration.
Immigration Minister Damian Green said the figures showed the government was right to take "swift action to overhaul the immigration system". Downing Street confirmed the government remained committed to its target. Immigration Minister Damian Green said the figures showed the government was right to take "swift action to overhaul the immigration system".
Mr Green said: "Latest quarterly figures show a decrease in the number of student and work visas issued compared to a year earlier - an early sign that our policies are starting to take effect.Mr Green said: "Latest quarterly figures show a decrease in the number of student and work visas issued compared to a year earlier - an early sign that our policies are starting to take effect.
"The latest net migration figures are also encouraging, showing a fall since the recent peak in September 2010, but we are clear there is much more to be done."The latest net migration figures are also encouraging, showing a fall since the recent peak in September 2010, but we are clear there is much more to be done.
"That's why I will be announcing reforms to settlement and the family route which will help bring net migration down from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands over the course of this Parliament.""That's why I will be announcing reforms to settlement and the family route which will help bring net migration down from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands over the course of this Parliament."
Speaking at an event in south London, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the government was creating a system that was firm and targeting abuse but that it would also be fair to those who wanted to make a contribution to society - and such changes could not happen overnight.
But Labour said the government had made a "no ifs no buts" pledge to slash net migration.But Labour said the government had made a "no ifs no buts" pledge to slash net migration.
Shadow immigration minister Chris Bryant said: "These figures just go to show you can't trust what this government and this home secretary say about immigration.Shadow immigration minister Chris Bryant said: "These figures just go to show you can't trust what this government and this home secretary say about immigration.
"The latest net migration figures up to March 2011 show a 10% increase on the same period last year."The latest net migration figures up to March 2011 show a 10% increase on the same period last year.
"And despite the protestations from the home secretary that her summer 'pilot' of relaxed controls was a success, we now know the number of non-asylum seekers caught and refused entry at UK ports went down by 12% this summer compared to last summer."And despite the protestations from the home secretary that her summer 'pilot' of relaxed controls was a success, we now know the number of non-asylum seekers caught and refused entry at UK ports went down by 12% this summer compared to last summer.
"The Government needs to come clean immediately about what really happened in this pilot, and tell us what estimates they have on the number of people who walked through our borders.""The Government needs to come clean immediately about what really happened in this pilot, and tell us what estimates they have on the number of people who walked through our borders."
Sir Andrew Green of campaign group Migrationwatch UK said: "At over a quarter of a million in 2010, net migration was the highest it has ever been.Sir Andrew Green of campaign group Migrationwatch UK said: "At over a quarter of a million in 2010, net migration was the highest it has ever been.
"It was more than five times the level of 1997 when Labour came to power. It is absolutely vital to get this down to less than 40,000 if we are to keep our population below 70 million.""It was more than five times the level of 1997 when Labour came to power. It is absolutely vital to get this down to less than 40,000 if we are to keep our population below 70 million."