United Kingdom registers record figures of net migration despite Brexit – Punto Capital Noticias

International

Net migration in the United Kingdom reached a new record in 2022, with a total of 745,000 immigrants, surpassing the previous maximum of 606,000 recorded in May of the same year, a phenomenon described by some members of the Conservative Party as “unsustainable.”

The increase continued until June 2023, with a net migration of 672,000 people, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which reported that during that period there were 1.2 million immigrants entering, in contrast to the emigration of 508,000 people.

The majority of these immigrants, some 968,000, came from countries not belonging to the European Union (EU), followed by EU and British citizens, with 129,000 and 84,000 respectively, the official body indicated.

Analysts point out that these demographic changes reflect a transformation in migration patterns since the coronavirus pandemic.

Asylum and visa programs for citizens of the Chinese territory and former British colony of Hong Kong and for refugees from Ukraine, as well as an increase in the arrival of non-EU students and workers, drove this increase.

In June 2023, work migrants accounted for 33% of total non-EU immigration, with a significant increase compared to June 2022.

Indian, Nigerian and Zimbabwean citizens led in obtaining work visas, especially in health and care sectors.

For its part, work-related emigration also experienced an increase, reaching 45,000.

Immigration for studies also showed an increase, with 378,000 arrivals in June 2023, mainly attributed to the increase in dependent family members of students, especially from Nigeria and India.

The new graduate visa route was a key factor in this growth, increasing to 115,000.

Regarding humanitarian routes, immigration decreased to 83,000, a considerable reduction from the 157,000 recorded in June 2022, with Ukrainians and Hong Kong citizens being the most prominent.

Immigration and emigration for family reasons remained stable, with a slight increase in net migration.

The British Home Office reported that 90% of the 40,386 people who arrived in precarious boats through the English Channel, until June 2023, applied for asylum or registered as dependents in an asylum application.

These figures demonstrate a complex reality in the UK’s migration landscape, marked by a significant increase in net migration and changes in immigration and emigration trends.

According to the British broadcaster Sky News, Conservative MP and former minister Simon Clarke expressed his concern about the current situation, arguing that “it is unsustainable both economically and socially” to maintain such high levels of legal migration.

Along the same lines, the Labor shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, launched a forceful criticism of the current Government, pointing out that the statistics reveal “the magnitude of the Conservatives’ total failure on immigration, asylum and the economy.”

In response to the criticism, the Minister of the Interior, James Cleverly, for his part, emphasized the government’s commitment to managing the situation and assured that the Government remains “fully committed to reducing levels of legal immigration”, while focusing on in “tirelessly addressing” illegal migration.

One of the key reasons why the UK chose to leave the EU was control over immigration.

During the run-up to the 2016 Brexit referendum, there was growing concern among a significant portion of the British population and some politicians about immigration levels, especially from other EU countries.

As a member of the EU, the United Kingdom was subject to the Union’s free movement policies, allowing citizens of EU Member States to live and work in any other Member State, including the United Kingdom, without needing of visas or work permits.

This aspect of EU membership was seen by many in the UK as a relinquishment of control over its own borders and immigration policies.

Brexiteers argued that leaving the EU would allow the UK to regain full control over its borders and set its own immigration policy, potentially limiting the number of people who could enter the country and work there.