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More than one in 10 people in UK were born overseas
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor24 Feb 2009
THE proportion of overseas-born people living in Britain has risen to more than one in 10 after the number of foreign residents increased by 300,000 last year, it was revealed today.
Figures issued by the Government's Office for National Statistics show that there are now 6.5 million foreign-born residents out of a total population of just over 60 million.
Fewer than a third (31 per cent) of those born overseas moved to this country to work - meaning that about four million arrived to study, as family members or as refugees - and the number coming here for jobs is falling.
This figure could ease fears about the impact of migration on Britons' job prospects while increasing concerns about the effect on public services.
Other disclosures in a batch of reports published today include a 10 per cent rise in asylum applications and fewer removals of failed claimants, although there was a five per cent increase in the overall total of migrants returned home by the Home Office.
The number of foreign citizens given the right to settle in the UK was up by 17 per cent to 145,965, with more than 60,000 of these approvals granted to overseas nationals working here.
Among those migrating to Britain for jobs, the figures show a drop in arrivals from Poland and the other East European countries which joined the EU in 2004 - with a total of 165,000 last year, down from 218,000.
Separate statistics on national insurance numbers also reveal that 720,000 new numbers were issued to foreign nationals in the 12 months to September last year - seven per cent down on the previous annual tally. There is no information, however, on how many of last year's migrants, and those who came earlier, have returned home despite ministerial claims that the numbers departing is on the rise.
On the overall make-up of the population, today's figures show that of the 6.5 million UK residents born overseas, 4.1 million are still foreign nationals with the remainder either becoming or being born British citizens.
In London, 2.4million residents come from overseas - about a third of the capital's population - and just over five million were born in this country.
Immigration minister Phil Woolas said the drop in eastern European arrivals and the rise in removals of illegal migrants showed that official policies were effective. He added: "The Government is doing everything it can to ensure migration is working for the British labour market and the country as a whole. This will ensure that during these economic times, when people are losing jobs, people already here have the first crack of the whip at getting work."
Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said the statistics showed that the Government's immigration and asylum systems were "unable to cope". He added: "The fact that so many foreign workers are being allowed to settle highlights how foolish Gordon Brown's British jobs promise was and the figures also show the pressure that public services are continuing to feel because of migration."
Ministers announced plans at the weekend to tighten the new "points-based" immigration system by reviewing the rights of family members of migrants to move here and by considering whether to restrict further the flow of more highly skilled workers who might otherwise compete with British graduates and others.
Reader views (22)
Tony B, Melbourne: One small point - the size of Australia compared to the size of the UK!! We are sinking as there are so many inhabitants on this Island now. There will be civil unrest soon simply because there are too many people, all living on top of one another.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 09/03/2009 12:20
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I was born overseas as a British National because my parents were in the forces? Do I count as a 'foreigner' under these statistics?
I can assure the government that in North London the figure is more like 7 in 10 people and I'm quite sure most of them aren't supposed to be here at all.
- Real, London, 09/03/2009 10:13
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So real figure is going to be much higher say 4 in 10. Having found no Gov. issued figures to be correct
- Mike, London England, 25/02/2009 09:43
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These facts are a little distorting as they include British citizens born outside the UK - my grandson for example
- Peter Glazier, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 25/02/2009 09:30
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And it shows.No one speaks English anymore.If you choose to live here at least learn the lingo.
- Steve, London, 25/02/2009 09:07
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Speaking as a 'foreign Johnny', that is way too high. Its time you reclaimed your country and culture before it becomes a dumping ground for the world's ecomonic migrants.
When was the last time you celebrated your own culture without tin drums, break dancers and jerk chicken, the only thing I can think of is the Last Night of the Proms.
Wake up and smell the imported roses.
- S, London, 25/02/2009 09:04
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All readers'comments are correct and spot on.
Also add the figure to the foreigners NOT declared and it will come into ... zillions!
P.S Ahh Judith, so true! sigh ...
- Cath, London, 25/02/2009 08:50
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We are one of the 3-4 most overpopulated countries, and this has just got to stiop. Heaven help us if the Turks join the EC. WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF SPACE. Look how builders are cramming houses into ever-smaller spaces.
- John, Wapping, 25/02/2009 08:46
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Its the same as Australia. One in ten.
- Brian Fast, SYdney australia, 25/02/2009 04:51
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These guys at least want to work and pay taxes so what is the problems.
- Andrew, manchester, 25/02/2009 02:06
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The numbers of foreigners coming to UK is increasing, they just aren't coming to work? Labour announce this as progress? Put Frank Field in change of Immigration- he knows the data, Woolas is just a big mouth with an empty head.
- R Nielson, London, 25/02/2009 00:06
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We've needed something to knock us out of our complacency for years. The influx of enthusiasm and new ideas will be the basis of a new UK if we're intelligent enough to employ them to advantage.
- Malc, London UK, 24/02/2009 23:21
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About 25% of people living in Australia (myself included) were not born here.
- Tonyb, Melbourne, Australia, 24/02/2009 22:54
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It seems like some English people are selfish. They used other's nations to work for them, used their lands & resources but now after ages of exploatation they don't want to see any strangers here. Particulary from Asia & Africa plus new EU members. It's so sad...shortly UK will resemble Germany and their Nazis.
- Jim, London, England, 24/02/2009 21:35
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So we are 7% down to 700,000 new NI numbers. Well that's a relief. After all, the governments original estimate was a vast 13000 EU workers. However nothing changes at all with this Government. They hadn't a clue about numbers coming in, haven't learned from their mistakes, and consequently haven't a clue about numbers leaving. This lot couldn't organise a party in a brewery, oh, sorry, Ms Blears called in the brewery development didn't she, maybe there is hope!
- Alan, Carlisle UK, 24/02/2009 15:37
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This is surely too high??!?
Time to start restricting migrants, and more importantly changing the law that you have to live here for 10 years before getting a passport!
- Mike, london, 24/02/2009 15:29
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It's not just 'foreign workers' who are here, it's foreign scroungers, and not just from the EU countries. What a craven, venal government this is to allow our beautiful country to come to this frightening,ghastly end.
- Judith C, London, England, 24/02/2009 15:26
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People are stopping coming here as its been saturated!!! Drops in Eastern Europeans simply reflect that our country is now not worth it as its gone to the dogs, not the policies that have been created....
- Dc, London, 24/02/2009 15:18
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As long as they're all contributing to the economy then I fail to see the problem, what proportion of these claim some form of benefit and contribute nothing I wonder? A far smaller proportion than those "true Brit" layabouts who sponge I'd wager.
- Bob, Cheam, 24/02/2009 15:01
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300,000, thats modest; I'm sure the real figures revealed at a later time (typical of this government) will expose that is number is much more and closer to double or triple that amount.
- Nick Nack Paddy Mac, Kilburn, London UK, 24/02/2009 15:01
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Lets face facts anything and everything Labour gets its grubby little paws on is ruined.
- Stuart, london, 24/02/2009 15:00
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NuLabour a government controlled by a Scottish Oligarchy that cares nowt for the general population of the UK, that is primary English.
- William, Haywards Heath UK, 24/02/2009 14:53
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