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196,000 out, 574,000 in: Record numbers leaving Britain for new life abroad - as immigration to UK soars
Last updated at 12:52pm on 23.08.07A record number of British citizens are leaving the country, according to official figures published yesterday.
An unprecedented 196,000 left the country last year, with Australia, Spain, America, New Zealand and France the most popular destinations for those seeking a new life.
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The Dannreuther family left Hampshire in 2004 to move to Bordeaux
The exodus is countered by high levels of immigration, with the Office for National Statistics saying that 574,000 people came to live in Britain between June 2005 and 2006.
Overall, the population has risen by 349,000 to more than 60 million. The news came as it was revealed that hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers will be granted an 'amnesty' to live in Britain on human rights grounds.
Many have been waiting years to have their cases processed, meaning deporting them now would breach their right to a family life.
The ONS figures also showed the numbers arriving from Eastern Europe are still close to the boom levels seen after eight countries including Poland joined the European Union in the spring of 2004.
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Asylum seekers in Bosnia ready to make an overland journey to Britain
This phenomenon - called 'churn' by Whitehall officials and 'middleclass flight' by other commentators - saw 240,000 people move out of London last year.
Independent experts said the high emigration figures showed that many Britons are fed up with life here and believe they will do better elsewhere.
Liam Clifford, of consultancy firm globalvisas.com, said his company had 50,000 inquiries from would-be emigrants last month alone.
"They do not believe that the services and the system can cope with the number of people coming into the UK at the moment," he said.
"Even fairly rural areas and villages seem to be coming under the threat of having an increased population and lack of services."
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Relocating to Spain: John and Sally Holmes, pictured with their daughter Poppy, sold their home in Sussex and moved to Marbella
Dean Morgan, of the workpermit.com website, added: "Normally in July and August it is quite quiet but this year we have been inundated.
"People are worried about their children and they worry about their jobs and their future here and possibly the economy as well.
"Perception of crime is another of the main reasons for people wanting to leave."
A study by the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank earlier this year said there are now 1.3 million British emigrants living in Australia.
Another 761,000 live in Spain, and 678,000 in the United States.
The ONS yesterday estimated that last year's emigration figures were the highest since 1991, when modern counting methods were adopted.
A total of 385,000 people are thought to have left the country, although this figure includes many foreigners who were in Britain temporarily.
Current levels are far above those in previous high emigration periods such as the 1970s and early 1980s.
The 574,000 who came into Britain last year included many types of people, some of them successful applicants from highly-skilled migrant programmes. Another 91,000 were Britons who had lived abroad coming home.
It also included 74,000 who came from Eastern Europe, the ONS said. This brings the official estimate of migration from the new EU countries since the middle of 2004 to 151,000.
However, ministers admit that in reality more than 600,000 have come over here. Sir Andrew Green of Migrationwatch said that the ONS calculated that only 57,000 of the recent Eastern European arrivals had stayed in Britain.
But 210,000 signed the Government's register to work in Britain over the period.
He added: "This once again highlights that the Government has no real grip of immigration or any meaningful idea of the true number coming to and leaving the UK which makes planning for these large population increases extremely difficult."
ONS officials, who continue to base immigration estimates on a largely-discredited survey taken at ports of entry, said compiling the figures was becoming "difficult" and "challenging".
The figures include asylum seekers but do not count, and make no estimate of, the levels of illegal immigration.
MIDDLE CLASS QUIT CITIES The middle class are increasingly moving out of towns and cities in southern England in a phenomenon known in Whitehall as 'churn'.
The relocation to suburbs and rural areas is similar to the 'white flight' that emptied American cities in the 1960s.
However, the exodus here includes successful ethnic minority families anxious to escape the growing tensions of life in big towns.
GP records showed that 243,700 people left London in the 12 months to June last year.
The capital's population continues to grow because of large numbers of migrants moving in. But for the first time other southern towns are experiencing 'middle class flight'.
Since 2001 the populations of Reading and Bournemouth have dropped by one per cent despite the arrival of migrants.
The head of the ONS, Karen Dunnell, said: "We have seen a very active housing market and some people are moving out to take advantage of rising prices."
However, experts also consider that concerns over schools, poor transport and rising crime are central factors in persuading families to move out of towns.
OUR AGEING POPULATION The fastest-growing segment of the population is the over-85s, the figures showed. A record 1,243,000 have now passed the age of 85 and the group grew by 6 per cent last year.
The number of people over retirement age is now 11,344,000 - up 1 per cent in a year.
There are concerns that Britain's ageing population will become difficult to sustain because there are fewer taxpayers to pay for older people's pensions and health care costs.
The working age population is growing, although more slowly - it was up by 0.8 per cent to 37,710,000.
At the same time the number of children under 16 dropped by 0.4 per cent to 11,537,000. Overall numbers went up by 349,000 to 60,587,000, according to the figures.
Just over half of the increase was attributed to immigration, the rest to increasing birth rates. These are rising largely because recent immigrants are having more children than the existing population.
One in four of the 734,000 babies born last year had a parent who was born abroad. This is up from one in five in 2001.
The rising number of children born to migrants compares with much lower birthrates among women whose background is wholly British.
Reader views (55)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Come to Canada!
Although we face the same issues you do in the UK, we still have the available space to enjoy our freedoms of association, for the time being. That is changing fast and Canada needs the skilled middle class Europeans to maintain its own cultural identity. We need as well as all other western nations the cultural and ideological strengths that originally founded our great country as a bastion against the complete annihilation of all that we hold dear for our children. Which means we need you!
- Knight 99, Canada
Just thought I'd add my name to the large number of English leaving their country. I feel like a complete foreigner in London now, and feel betrayed by successive socialist governments. My family have lived and worked in our once-great city since C 11 and have fought in every major battle from Sebastopol to WW2. Time to beat a hasty retreat to somewhere fortified in France.
Question: When the ship is sinking, do you: A) desert like a rat?
B) hold onto the wheel like the captain and go down with her?
- Will, England
Blair murdered this once great country and Cameron will bury it, R.I.P.
- J Pice, London
"All immigrants are scroungers". Really? This is far from the truth. You only believe what you want to believe.
- Sonny A, Milton Keynes
This is social engineering by Labour to ensure that Britain becomes a one party state. They are importing potential Labour voters, whilst driving out the middle class who support these spongers. This will end in one big ugly mess when the whole thing collapses and the civil war starts.
- Paul, Beds
Standards in the UK keep sinking. I am not at all surprised that so many people are leaving.
- Brian, Bristol
I think it is so much easier now to emigrate than ever before, the reason why the figures are high.
I spent some time in Australia. Everywhere there is so remote and felt isolated. Here we are so diverse, never far away from anything, fantastic shops, restaurants, culture, education, travel, and the NHS with all its faults is a fantastic system. Weather here could certainly be better but preferable to the searing heat of an Aus summer.
The world is a very small place and changing fast with the internet helping to keep us all in touch no matter where in the world we live but for now GB is for me!
- Helen, London
Graham, having been born here to Italian parents, and having lived here all my life, I too thought that moving back to Italy or possibly Spain would be safer and with less crime.
Unless you move to a very small village and away from the main cities, you'll not find the haven you, and indeed I, are looking for. Italy has just the same amount of crime and drugs as the UK has. There are immigrants arriving by the shipload daily. Most of Europe is suffering the same as the UK, however the UK isn't prepared to do anything about it and allow more and more immigrants in.
I like you will be finding a way out soon. Last one out of the UK, please switch off the light - or will that breach someone's human rights?
- Gianni, London
No surprises here. I have just left London and plan to leave the UK in the next three years. We have a government who are anti-British and I don't want to work hard so that they can spend my taxes on healthcare, social housing, child benefit, income support and legal fees for foreigners. This government have no interest in people like me (other than what they can take from me) so I'll take my skills and income tax somewhere else.
- Bridget, Brighton
In time, Labour's stint will be remembered primarily for this.
I can't believe there isn't more public outrage - people think it, but daren't say it.
- Tom, Home Counties, UK
One reason is simply that we have an ageing population, and many people will want to retire somewhere sunnier and warmer. It used to be to the sea-side on the South coast, now we're more affluent it can be Spain or further.
- Nigel, London
Not really a big surprise is it? People work their backsides off only for it to be taxed, taxed and stealth taxed. To find their tax is funding government quangos, immigration, crime support for the criminal etc, the cost of living is spiralling out of control, the services provided are sub standard. Can we squeeze any more people in, of course we will build more houses on precious green belt, or super density sky rises and to top it all the pressure to work longer and longer hours is immense. The alternative of a greener and pleasant land is an appealing one.
- Ed, London
Yes, we have plenty of problems here, but don't assume life is idyllic everywhere else! Every country has its problems. Ask yourselves why so many people want to come to the UK and stay here. No, not just Polish plumbers, but high-flying students from all over the world. I have friends from China, Malaysia, Mauritius, you name it - they all love the UK and want to stay here to live and work. So try to look beyond the doom-mongering headlines and remember this country has a lot to offer.
- Asns, Suffolk, UK
And I wonder what the Spanish, Australians and US-Americans make of this huge influx of Brits onto their shores. Good riddance of all those who do nothing but complain that "this country is going to the dogs". I've heard it many times, and I'm still waiting. Personally, I'm a German immigrant to the UK and one of the reasons I left Germany was growing resentment with (dark-skinned only) immigrants. Please don't let me experience the same attitude here in the UK!
- Paulina Smid, London
No wonder people are leaving in droves to live elsewhere. We have had a shooting of an eleven-year-old boy yesterday, numerous stabbings and further shootings in London, a stretched NHS and we have terrible transportation services. When will this left wing sandal-wearing government sort themselves out, crack down and put the Great back into Britain?
- Marcus Newman, London
As soon as I am able I intend to either get out of London or get out of this country.
- Ciar, London
I can understand why people leave this country. The sad thing is that they are the decent ones. If all these good citizens leave then the country really is on a slippery slope. The government has to take ultimate responsibilty for the erosion of law and order, and unchecked immigration. I have children and am very concerned for their future.
- Philip, London, England
Helen F I don't think you realize that the migrants are doing the jobs your compatriots will never do. Taking note you live in 'the Garden of England' how would you be able to judge the conditions? I live in London and I am qualified to comment and I am black and have decided to move not because of people on benefits but that your 'establishment' are willing to sell their country to the cheapest labour. What do you expect from a nation deluding themselves with a monarchy and a government? But, hey what can I say "This is England".
- James Browne, London
I cannot believe an amnesty is being granted to several hundred thousand asylum seekers, when we know a large number are bogus economic migrants. Is this Government now foreseeing a large revolt from their grass-root supporters, thus are trying to ship in thousands of replacements?
I've nothing against people coming here who have something to offer, but we need a much more rigorous checking and qualification system. We simply cannot cope with a) sustaining these levels and b) continuing to lose a highly skilled/qualified workforce like we are.
- Scott, Loughton, Essex
I just thank God that my parents, who fought in a war for this lot, are not around to see what is happening to this country.
I used to love it. Now I loathe everything about it and I can't wait to leave. Why would anyone want to stay?
- Christopher, London
Being middle class in today's Britain is like being on a treadmill; tax, tax and more tax- especially for those most visible to the taxman. Meanwhile the benefits of living in our once green and pleasant land, become ever harder to qualify. Remind me what were all those pension plans, we were encouraged to take out, supposed to bring and where did it say "Oh by the way if we can encourage you to save plenty now, it might be provide a neat honey-pot for the next Labour Government."
Were we ever so seriously micro-managed by Nanny in our History and with what benefits? Answers on a Postcard to No 10 Downing Street please. Beats me why people would want to leave!
- David S, Woking, Surrey
The grass is always greener. As one who lived for 17 years in the US I'm glad to be back. Yes, Britain is frustrating: its weather, the traffic, the governmental inefficiency etc.
But I've done all that fine weather, sitting on beaches and having the big car and super house. For years and years. You know what? There's more vibrancy here, more life; and where would I be without the footie, the BBC, the daily papers, the beautiful countryside, the history and, most of all, family and friends. And when the sun shines - the most wonderful place in the world is right here!
So bye-bye emigrants. How long before you're back?
- Pete, London
Currently one can have more Britishness outside of Britain. I do not feel British here anymore. Here it is just political correctness, ASBOs, HIPS, taxes for anything, handouts for everyone. I can understand that Brits want to leave.
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London
My husband and I will be leaving the country in the next few years, leaving it to the scroungers. Why? Because we are taxed, taxed, taxed and receive nothing in return. The public transport system is falling apart, while, at the same time, the government is conducting a war on cars. Council taxes keep going up but, at the same time, the council keeps cutting services. Most of all, crime keeps increasing. We live in a quiet village, but this year already, three of the shops have been robbed, two of the times by men wearing balaclavas. The railway station is regularly vandalised. The playground equipment is vandalised. Nothing is safe and the government does nothing but arrest law-abiding citizens for crimes against political correctness and for defending themselves against thugs. We've had enough.
- Celine R, Near Reading
This is still a great civilised country and I regret the loss of talent and enterprise leaving our shores. These people will rue the day they left Great Britain!
- Terry Roll, London
I'm so glad that I got out in 1994 before 'New Labor' really managed to wreck the country!
- Linzi, Largo, USA
Sorry Helen F, it's the British-born claiming the benefits whilst the Eastern Europeans get stuck into the work they won't do.
- Tonyb, Twickenham
I think you cannot blame them: our government is taxing the working man and giving the money straight to social problem cases. Why work in this country?!
- Arthur, London
I will go anywhere for a few days sunshine!...watch the figures rise after this appalling summer!
- William Grierson, Kimpton, UK
Sadly the UK has lost its way. No manners, no respect, no pride, no principles, no justice.
I feel privileged to have been able to move to a Country in Europe where all these prevail and where I feel welcome.
- Henri, Mainland Europe
I too had plans of escaping this country, imagining what life would be like for me when I'm a senior citizen in the UK. I thought of eventually escaping to Spain where I recently bought a small apartment. However, in the space of 1 year I have been a victim of crime on no less than 6 occasions in both the UK and Spain (UK: house burgled x 1, car broken into x 2; Spain: distraction theft x 1, confronting a burglar x 1, victim of attempted street robbery x 1). Given that I don't have a particular skill that other countries are looking for, I'm left feeling very unhappy about my future prospects in this country and what life will be like for me when I retire.
- Julie, London
The last 10 years of administration under Labour has been terrible: British people are more depressed, if you work you are taxed as never before, there is too much crime, places are flooded, there is too much building, hospitals are in a mess, education is sad. I would leave too if I could but am too old.
- Pd, London
Take me with you!
- Jill, London
Good riddance. The sooner all these whingers go the better. As JFK said ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country. We need people who are prepared to stand up and give something back. We do not need those that are just going to cut and run.
- Mick, London, England
I'd move to America tomorrow if only they were as liberal with issuing Visas as we are in the UK. I'm sick of working hard and having little to show for it - something a recent trip to the States only reinforced. The fact that I felt safer in downtown New York than I do in London said something to me about the state we are now in in this city.
- Anne, London, UK
We left four years ago with all our assets and moved to France because we were fed up with the governments consistent failure to deal with basic issues such as immigration, violent crime, benefit fraud, the health service etc. So that means we pay tax and contribute to the wealth of France as opposed to the country of our birth.
Thatcher, Blair and co have taken the "Great " out of Britain and there seems no prospect of the country turning round. The politicians are all self seeking hypocrites who are looking out for themselves and are only after furthering their own careers.
- Alan Beresford, France
I have left and will take all my substantial capital and know how with me. I reached the puke level with Blair, Brown & Co. some time ago. Sadly I don't think Cameron has got it in him to dislodge the incumbent government and worse still I don't think he will make much difference even if he does. He is no Thatcher. Britain desparately needs a John Bull character to restore its identity and dignity, those that want a Guardianista Euro society can go hang.
- James, London, UK
Add my name to the list of leavers...
- Adam, Harrow, UK
My wife and I left Britain a year ago, and now live in China. Our quality of life is better, we are not subject to punitive levels of direct and indirect taxation, and as a teacher I am respected more. Standards of public behaviour are higher here and we feel safe walking around, even late at night. We now live in a society in which marriage and family values are respected, the innocence of children is protected, and the elderly are valued and cared for.
- Tim, Langfang, China
I left some time ago, so understand why others do the same.
But I marvel at how easily people blame, say, Blair, or Brown, or whoever will come along next... Slightly cliched, I know, but in democracies governments, in the long term, reflect the people. So stop blaming a couple of politicos (however useless they might be) and blame yourselves, folks. Or, even better, start fixing it yourselves. But will that happen? No, at the next election you'll all vote in, whether Conservative or Labour, an equally useless bunch who you'll then bitch and moan about...
Stop blaming and start changing. Good luck...
- Shawn, SE France
My family and I are flying to Brisbane in Sept with no intention of ever coming back. Is this really a country to raise respectful, bright, concientious children - I don't think so.
- Steve D, Witham, Kent
I wonder what the Spanish think about all the British moving over there that refuse to learn the langauge, are raising house prices beyond the locals reach and then have the cheek to use their hospitals as they become older after a lifetime of eating basically rubbish food like fish and chips. They moan a lot but do these fleeing British actually contribute anything?
- Gary, London
I moved 10 years ago to Canada and thank God I did. The UK seems to be getting worse and worse.
- Jay E, Comox, Canada
My wife and are about to join the exodus, we're off to France and there is not a person that we've told that has not said fantastic, good luck can we join you. Everyone we talk to is fed up with this country and what this government has done to it. We need a strong opposition party to make Messrs Brown and Co see the errors of their ways.
- Alan, St Albans
When I came to South Africa fourteen years ago people thought I was insane. Yes there is crime; but I feel a lot safer walking about Cape Town (and Johannesburg, where I lived for three years) than I do walking about the streets of some parts of London and Manchester. When I watch Sky news I'm astonished at the level of gun and knife crime all over the UK. I'm surprised its taken your average law-abiding citizen so long for the penny to drop. Apart from everything else, the quality of life in South Africa is ten times what you get in the UK. You can live in a fantastic house with pool, start a business easily, get out of town to breathtaking beaches, mountains and winelands within 35mins with little traffic and to top it all it's mid-winter here and its 25 degrees and sunny. And the summers are gorgeous.
- Paul Kerton, Cape Town, South Africa
Widespread crime, fear on the streets, incompetent nanny-state government, rampant illegal immigration, fear of terrorism, political correctness gone mad, loss of sovereignty to the E.U., uncontrolled tax increases, and deteriorating transportation, health services and schools. Gee, why are these people leaving?
- R M, London, UK
When Brown took up residency at No 10 Hazel Blears stated that over the past ten years under Labour Britain has become a better place to live.
For whom I wonder?
- Steve,, London
New labour governments do not help...
- Alexander, London
And I'd be joining them if I had the money to leave. This country is an embarrassment and has completely lost the plot on everything. I'm actually ashamed of being English.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
And in a few years time, I will be joining the exodus to somewhere law-abiding and safe.
- Graham, Reading, England
In about 10 years time this country is going to consist of migrants on benefits, most British nationals would have had enough by then (myself included) and find a better life in a sunnier country. Gordon brown et al, you have been warned.
- Helen F, Kent
I don't blame these people for wanting to leave when you have a law and order system that sticks 2 fingers up to victims of crime with its disgusting leniency towards criminals.
- Vivek, London
... and can you blame us? It's bad enough reading what's happening to the UK second hand - I couldn't have coped with experiencing it!
- Marianne, SW France
Three simple reasons why people are leaving the country in droves: Blair, Brown, Blunkett.
- Dave, Wookey Hole, Somerset
...and who can blame them?
- Steve R, London, UK
