The Government’s plans to reduce immigration numbers received a setback after it was announced UK migration has increased to record levels. Figures show that net migration (the difference in the number of people coming in to Britian and the number of people leaving) reached 252,000 last year, the highest calendar year total on record.
The Office for National Statistics said the rise in net migration had been pushed up by the declining number of British people emigrating abroad- the lowest levels since 1998.
The figures point to a fall in the number of people coming to Britain to work, but an equivilant rise in the number of oversees students, saw the number of immigrants remain steady in the 12 months to March.
There has also been a 13% drop in the number of people being turned away at British ports and airports, compared to the same period in 2010. This is despite the pilot scheme focusing passport checks on “high-risk” passengers and routes.
Sir Andrew Green, of Migrationwatch UK, which campaigns for “zero net migration”, said: “[Net migration] 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.”
Words by Rita Lobo
Image courtesy of Johnnylive on Flickr