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19 September 2014

The latest set of quarterly UK migration statistics relating to the year ending March 2014 have been published and outline some interesting provisional estimates relating to the movement of overseas nationals to the UK. Whilst the published data confirms a dramatic increase in long-term migration to the UK, especially from mainland Europe, net-migration still remains below its peak of 320,000 in 2005.

Growth in migration

Although it is estimated that a relatively stable number (316,000) of people emigrated from the UK in the year ending March 2014, the total number of people who migrated to the UK jumped significantly to 560,000. This represents a notable increase on the previous year (492,000) and is due, in part, to a 44,000 increase in the number of EU citizens moving to the United Kingdom.

Since the transitional controls placed upon Romanian and Bulgarian nationals ended at the end of 2013, the increase in the number of these citizens migrating to the UK leapt from 12,000 to 28,000. The growth in European nationals migrating to the UK was, to a certain extent, therefore expected.

Work related

The most common reason for migrating to the UK is work. The recent figures indicate that 228,000 overseas nationals immigrated to the UK for work-related reasons. Since 2007, around half of long-term immigrants arriving for work have been EU citizens and 25 to 30% have been non-EU citizens. The remaining numbers relate to those British citizens returning to the UK for employment purposes.

Student visas

The number of study visas granted in the year ending June 2014 increased by 7% in comparison to 2013 and thus ends their decline since a peak in 2011. The increase includes higher numbers for Chinese (up 3,979) and Brazilian (up 2,649) nationals choosing to study in the UK.

Given the government’s ongoing drive to prevent bogus students from entering the UK, it is of little surprise that this growth is attributed to an increase in university sponsored applications, whilst visa applications within other sectors (including further education) have fallen considerably.

For a full account of the latest UK migration statistics please visit the Office for National Statistics at http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/migration-statistics-quarterly-report/august-2014/index.htm

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