21/05/2015

UK Net Migration Reaches 318,000

Net migration into the UK reached 318,000 last year, according to new figures.

The numbers, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), have been described as a "statistically significant" increase of more than 109,000, when compared to the previous year.

The figures, published today (21 May), highlight the difference between the numbers of people moving the UK for a year or more, and those leaving the UK for a year or more.

Other findings show that over the period, 641,000 people moved to the UK, while 323,000 left the UK. Some 284,000 immigrated for work, which was said to be an increase of 70,000.

Of those coming in to the UK in 2014, the ONS said the number of Romanians and Bulgarians doubled to 46,000, while employment of non-British EU nationals within the UK for the first three months of 2015 was 283,000 more than the previous year.

Elsewhere, work-related visas granted (main applicants) rose by 11,007 (10%) to 119,883 in 2014. This includes a 6,842 (15%) increase for skilled work. The number of immigrants arriving to accompany or join others in the UK also showed a statistically significant increase, from 71,000 to 91,000 in 2014, the ONS said.

(JP)

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