Office of National Statistics (ONS) recorded a rise in migration level from countries outside the European Union

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the level of net migration to the UK from countries outside the EU has reached its highest level in the last 15 years. From September 2017 to September 2018, 261 000 more non-EU people moved to the United Kingdom rather then left. This is the highest figure since 2004. Net migration from EU countries continues to fall and has halved reaching the level of 2009 – 57 000 people.

The ONS report states that in general, from September 2017 to September 2018, 627 000 people moved to the UK, 345 000 people left the UK. Thus, the total net migration was 283,000 people.

The report also noted that more citizens from EU8 bloc countries, including Poland, Slovakia and Lithuania, are leaving the UK than arriving. The number of people coming to the UK to work fell to its lowest level since 2014, which is explained by the reduction in the number of migrants from the EU. More and more people come to the UK to study and the level of student immigration from countries outside the EU zone has reached its highest level since 2011.

Separate data published by the Home office, shows that the number of EU citizens applying for British citizenship reached a record high last year to 48 000 people, which is 23% more compared to the previous year.

In general, net migration, immigration and emigration rates have remained stable since the end of 2016.