There has been an increase in the number of people from outside the EU coming to live in the UK, however the number of people moving to the UK from the EU has fallen.
The difference between the number of people from non-EU countries arriving and leaving – known as net migration – is currently at its highest level for 15 years. Overall, immigration remains at historically high levels, and the net figure of 283,000 is more than the UK government’s target.
According to the Office of National Statistics, since the referendum in June 2016 there has been a steep decline in immigration to the UK from the EU, while the number of EU nationals emigrating has risen. This has resulted in 57,000 net EU migration in the 12 months to September 2018 is the lowest level in almost a decade. In particular, citizens from countries like Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania are leaving the UK in greater numbers than are arriving. Factors behind this trend could be uncertainty about Brexit, falling value of the pound and improving job market in Europe.
Conversely, net migration figures of citizens from outside the EU are up to 261,000, the highest total since 2004. This increase is due to a rise in the number of students, particularly from China and India, and workers arriving with definite job offers.
Business leaders say the reduction in the net migration numbers reflect badly on the UK, and are a direct result of the uncertainties that still surround Brexit and the country’s withdrawal from the EU. They warn that failing to redress this issue will exacerbate labour shortages in a variety of sectors including retail, hospitality and construction.
