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Rate of immigration 'set to rise' Rate of immigration 'set to rise'
(about 2 hours later)
The number of people migrating to the UK each year will be 45,000 more than previously predicted, figures suggest.The number of people migrating to the UK each year will be 45,000 more than previously predicted, figures suggest.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) had estimated that the net increase in population due to migration would be 145,000 a year.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) had estimated that the net increase in population due to migration would be 145,000 a year.
But it has now revised that prediction upwards by about a third to an increase of 190,000 migrants per year over the next two decades.But it has now revised that prediction upwards by about a third to an increase of 190,000 migrants per year over the next two decades.
The ONS also predicts life expectancy will rise further than anticipated.The ONS also predicts life expectancy will rise further than anticipated.
Sir Andrew Green, chair of Migration Watch UK, said the revision was "extremely significant". Sir Andrew Green, chair of Migrationwatch UK, said the revision was "extremely significant".
"It's a 30% increase in the predicted levels of immigration."It's a 30% increase in the predicted levels of immigration.
"The result is that 86% of our population increase will now be due to immigration, which will add 7.2 million to our population between 2004 and 2031.""The result is that 86% of our population increase will now be due to immigration, which will add 7.2 million to our population between 2004 and 2031."
Migration is bringing new wealth but also new worries to Britain Liam ByrneImmigration MinisterMigration is bringing new wealth but also new worries to Britain Liam ByrneImmigration Minister
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, shadow immigration spokesman Damian Green said: "We can't carry on like this.Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, shadow immigration spokesman Damian Green said: "We can't carry on like this.
"This involves a population of a city the size of Liverpool being added to our population every five years or so, and obviously our public services, our infrastructure, housing demand and so on cannot cope.""This involves a population of a city the size of Liverpool being added to our population every five years or so, and obviously our public services, our infrastructure, housing demand and so on cannot cope."
Mr Green said his party wanted to see "an explicit annual limit" on the number of people allowed to enter the UK. He said that the Tories wanted to see "an explicit annual limit" on the number of people allowed to enter the UK.
'Sweeping changes''Sweeping changes'
The ONS said the amended estimate was partly due to factoring in record net immigration in 2004 and 2005, mainly from eastern Europe.The ONS said the amended estimate was partly due to factoring in record net immigration in 2004 and 2005, mainly from eastern Europe.
Changes to the way migration figures were calculated also played a part, the ONS added.Changes to the way migration figures were calculated also played a part, the ONS added.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "This report shows what could happen unless we take action now.Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "This report shows what could happen unless we take action now.
The challenge is to ensure we can continue to reap the benefits of migration at the same time as building cohesive communities Danny Sriskandarajah, IPPRThe challenge is to ensure we can continue to reap the benefits of migration at the same time as building cohesive communities Danny Sriskandarajah, IPPR
"Frankly, it underlines the need for swift and sweeping changes to the immigration system in the next 12 months."Frankly, it underlines the need for swift and sweeping changes to the immigration system in the next 12 months.
"Migration is bringing new wealth but also new worries to Britain. That means we need to drive through radical action now to make sure our borders policy is fit for the future.""Migration is bringing new wealth but also new worries to Britain. That means we need to drive through radical action now to make sure our borders policy is fit for the future."
But Danny Sriskandarajah, from think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), said migration was good for Britain. Danny Sriskandarajah, from think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), said migration was good for Britain.
"The challenge is to ensure we can continue to reap the benefits of migration at the same time as building cohesive communities.""The challenge is to ensure we can continue to reap the benefits of migration at the same time as building cohesive communities."
Julian Bild, a senior lawyer for the Immigration Advisory Service, said: "Perhaps this isn't immigration as such, but EU nationals exercising the same rights that we have - which is unrestricted freedom of movement around Europe."
He added that "hundreds of thousands" of UK nationals had migrated to countries like France, Italy and Spain.
Mr Bild also stressed that managed migration was key to the UK economy and cautioned: "We need to be careful in terms of further restrictions that we are not cutting off our nose to spite our face."
Life expectancyLife expectancy
The ONS said the estimates for how migrants would be distributed across the UK in years to come were also being revised.The ONS said the estimates for how migrants would be distributed across the UK in years to come were also being revised.
England is projected to have 171,500 new migrants a year, over 40,000 more than previous estimates.England is projected to have 171,500 new migrants a year, over 40,000 more than previous estimates.
Scotland's new arrivals are put at 8,500 a year compared with 4,000 previously, while Northern Ireland's population is likely to rise by 500 a year rather than fall by the same number.Scotland's new arrivals are put at 8,500 a year compared with 4,000 previously, while Northern Ireland's population is likely to rise by 500 a year rather than fall by the same number.
Conversely, Wales is now expected to receive 2,000 fewer new migrants overall than previously thought.Conversely, Wales is now expected to receive 2,000 fewer new migrants overall than previously thought.
The ONS figures revealed other long-term predictions about the UK's population.The ONS figures revealed other long-term predictions about the UK's population.
The average family will have 1.84 children, an increase of 0.1% on 2004 projections.The average family will have 1.84 children, an increase of 0.1% on 2004 projections.
Life expectancy for babies born in 2031 will rise to 82.7 years for males and 86.2 years for females, up from 81.4 years and 85.0 years in earlier calculations.Life expectancy for babies born in 2031 will rise to 82.7 years for males and 86.2 years for females, up from 81.4 years and 85.0 years in earlier calculations.