Net migration down by third as students shun UK

Net migration into Britain fell by more than a third in a year, according to figures published yesterday that show the number of immigrants arriving has dropped “significantly”.

UK net migration is down by a third. Picture: PA

A net flow of 153,000 migrants came to the UK in the year to September 2012, down from 242,000 in the previous year, the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) said.

The decline was driven by a drop in the number of immigrants coming to Britain, which fell from 581,000 to 500,000, while the number of migrants leaving the country rose from 339,000 to 347,000.

Immigration minister Mark Harper said: “Net migration is now at its lowest level for a decade, showing we are continuing to bring immigration back under control.

“Today’s statistics show another significant fall in net migration – down by more than a third since June 2010. This has been driven in the most recent period by a decline in the number of people coming to the UK, as stated by the independent Office for National Statistics.

“The figures show we have cut out abuse, while encouraging the brightest and best migrants who contribute to economic growth, with a 5 per cent increase in the number of sponsored student visa applications for our world-class universities, and a 5 per cent increase in the number of visas issued to skilled workers.”

Some 105,000 immigrants from New Commonwealth countries arrived in the UK in the year to September, down 36 per cent, or 61,000, from 166,000 in the previous year.

A total of 58,000 immigrants arrived from countries which joined the European Union in 2004, including Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, down 22 per cent, or 17,000, from the previous year.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warned the net migration falls were due to declining international student numbers and progress towards the immigration target was not sustainable.

Sarah Mulley, associate director at IPPR, said: “Today’s statistics show a continued decline in net migration to the UK. But the government’s progress towards its target of reducing net migration to less than 100,000 by 2015 is still in large part being driven by falling numbers of international students.

“This decline in international student numbers comes at considerable economic cost to the UK at a time when we can ill afford it. Falling student numbers will not help the government meet its target in the medium term.”