Immigration to UK at highest level since WW2 as half a million more stay long-term in past year – almost triple previous
NET migration to the UK skyrocketed to 504,000 in the year to June 2022, according to new Home Office statistics.
The figure is the highest UK has seen since the end of World War Two, with the previous post-war record being set at 390,000 in 2015.
The number of migrants coming to the UK in 2021 was 173,000 - meaning an increase of 191 per cent.
The new statistics comes as Suella Braverman faces increasing pressure to tackle the issue of small boats arriving in Britain.
The Home Secretary also faces scrutiny as just last month she told Tory Conference her goal is to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands.
There's a range of reasons why the UK's latest migration stats are unprecedentedly high, with many being major global events.
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These include the end of pandemic lockdown restrictions, the first full period following transition from the EU, Mad Vlad Putin's war in Ukraine, the resettlement of Afghans and a new visa route for Hong Kong British Overseas nationals.
There's also the issue of a huge rise in illegal migration.
Around 33,000 migrants entered Britain unlawfully in the first nine months of this year.
Of that figure 11,241 came from Albania.
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The number of people granted asylum in 2022 was 24 per cent lower than in 2019.
But there's been a 77 per cent hike in asylum claims.
Up to the year ending June 2022, around 89,000 people came to the UK under a bespoke route for Ukrainians fleeing the war.
And there were 22,833 people who were resettled under schemes for Afghans affected by the Taliban's takeover in August last year.
Student visas have soared to the highest level on record, with 476,000 being issued in the last year.
The figure marks a 77 per cent jump on 2019.
Meanwhile, the number of work visas issued by the Home Office increased by 72 per cent compared to 2019, with 331,000 being approved in the year to June 2022.
Commenting on the new statistics, Ms Braverman said it is "understandable that we have seen a record number of people coming to our country" because of unforeseen global events.
But she added: "The public rightly expect us to control our borders and we remain committed to reducing migration over time in line with our manifesto commitment.
"This level of migration has put pressure on accommodation and housing supply, health, education and other public services. We must ensure we have a sustainable, balanced and controlled approach which is why we continue to keep our immigration policies under review."
This morning a spokesperson for No10 said Rishi Sunak is determined to see a drop in net migration.
They said: "The Prime Minister is fully committed to bringing overall numbers down.
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"There are some unprecedented and unique circumstances which are having a significant impact on these statistics.
"The Prime Minister has said he wants net migration to reduce, he has not put a specific timeframe on that."
