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migration
report
28 November 2014
Migration to the UK escalates
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released its November report on migration and the figures reveal a surge in net migration to the UK.
In the year ending June 2014, an estimated 583,000 people immigrated to the UK for work, family or study related reasons. A total of 323,000 people emigrated from the UK leaving net migration for the year ending June 2014 at a grand total of 260,000 individuals. This is a huge increase of 78,000 on the previous year’s figures when net migration was estimated to be around 182,000.
These figures defy all Conservative efforts
…to reduce migration to the UK and Theresa May has admitted that, despite her policies to moderate numbers of incoming non-EEA workers, students and family members, the Conservative Party’s plans have been rather ‘blown off course’ by the report’s findings.
The ONS draws several conclusions from its report. Britain’s growing economy was found to be a major pull-factor for the global workforce, with its strength and stability attracting around 247,000 of the total net sum of those immigrating to British borders, as compared to 202,000 last year. This represents a significant rise of 45,000 more people travelling to Britain for work purposes. The ONS has stated that this increase was spearheaded by non-EU citizens but also points out that employment of EU nationals in the UK was up from the previous year by 16% as at June 2014.
The figures also shed light on the steady increase of those coming to the UK to take up study or skilled vacancies. This is something which many academics and industry leaders will welcome, following a year in which Cameron has been criticised for his attempts to stem the flow of much-needed skilled labour and talented students coming to the UK.
The report has sparked a political melee in which the Conservative party is receiving some rather heavy blows. Many are seizing these figures in a bid to attack the Coalition ahead of May’s general election.
The Migration Statistics Quarterly Report, November 2014
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