Migration Statistics Quarterly Report

The Office for National Statistics has published its quarterly report on migration statistics. The report makes a number of points, most significantly that net migration to the UK reached a record 336,000 in the year to June. There are a number of reasons for this, incuding a reduction in emigration. 

Since the end of 2012, net migration has continuously increased despite the governments aim to bring it down to below 100,000 by 2020 and the significant changes they have made to the Immigration Rules.

The report made the following points:

• Net long-term international migration = +336,000 (up 82,000 from YE June 2014) in the year ending (YE) June 2015;
• Immigration (those who entered UK) = 636,000 (up 62,000 from YE June 2014);
• Emigration (those who left the UK)= 300,000 (down 20,000 from YE June 2014);
• The net migration figure was a statistically significant increase from 254,000 in YE June 2014 and remains the highest net migration on record;
• Net migration of EU citizens showed a statistically significant increase to 180,000 (up 42,000 from YE June 2014). Non-EU net migration also had a statistically significant increase, to 201,000 (up 36,000);
• 294,000 people immigrated for work in YE June 2015, a statistically significant increase of 53,000 from 241,000 in YE June 2014 continuing the upward trend since March 2013. Of these, 64% (187,000) had a definite job to go to;
• 162,000 of those coming for work related reasons were from the EU. Of those coming with a definite job, 101,000 were EU citizens, a statistically significant increase of 22,000 on YE June Migration Statistics Quarterly Report, A further 54,000 of those coming for a definite job were non-EU citizens, also a statistically significant increase (of 11,000) compared to YE June 2014 estimates.
• In YE Sep 2015, total work-related visas granted (non-EU nationals, main applicants) rose by 6% to 122,909 including a 4,105 (8%) increase to 54,174 for skilled work (Tier 2) visas;
• Long-term immigration for study increased from 175,000 to 192,000 in YE June 2015 (not statistically significant). Over the same period, visa applications to study at a UK university (nonEU, main applicants) increased (+0.2%) to 167,425;
• There were 29,024 asylum applications (main applicants) in YE September 2015, an increase of 19% compared with the previous 12 months (24,324). The largest number of applications for asylum came from nationals of Eritrea (3,726), followed by Sudan (2,842), Iran (2,407) and Syria (2,402). Grant rates vary between nationalities; for example, at initial decision, the grant rate for nationals of Sudan was 84%, compared with 21% for Pakistani nationals.

We will continue to keep you updated.