In a post-pandemic context marked by the war in Ukraine and inflation approaching the 10% mark, the United Kingdom recorded record net immigration, estimated at half a million people. Populations mainly from countries outside the EU. The Home Secretary has admitted the UK government’s failure to “control the borders”.
Immigration on the rise. According to estimates from the British Office for National Statistics (ONS) published on Thursday 24 November, the UK recorded net immigration of 504,000 people between June 2021 and June 2022, an increase of 331,000 people compared to the previous year. year 2021.
“A series of events around the world have affected migration patterns”, “together they are unprecedented”, emphasized Jay Lindop, Director of the International Migration Center at ONS.
Among the elements that have contributed to the increase in long-term immigration are the fact that this is the first full period since he left the EU, the war in Ukraine and the reception of nationals of Afghans or overseas passport holders who have fled from Hong King, said Jay Lindop.
35,000 people crossed the canal illegally
As for countries outside the EU, the increase was particularly noticeable among students after the lifting of travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic or with the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
In detail, 39% of immigrants arrived on a student visa, 21% on a work visa.
But given that these factors are “independent of each other”, the director of the International Migration Center at the ONS assessed that it is “too early to say whether this picture will continue”, she said. added, while controlling immigration was one of Brexit’s big promises.
In addition to legal immigration figures, the ONS estimates that 35,000 people crossed the Channel illegally during the period.
Pressed over the sensitive issue, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman admitted on Wednesday that the UK government has “failed to control the borders”.