Migration to the UK has DROPPED in the quarter after Britain voted to leave the European Union – to the lowest level in two years
The Office for National Statistics today said net migration had dropped to 273,000, showing some people have been put off coming to Britain
MIGRATION to Britain has dropped to the lowest level in two years following the EU vote last summer.
The Office for National Statistics today said net migration had dropped to 273,000, showing the referendum result has deterred some people from coming to Britain.
The latest figures showed there was a 56,000 increase in people LEAVING Britain after the vote, which could mean the trend of high immigration over the last few years is set to change.
Some 165,00o EU citizens came to the UK as well as 164,000 non-EU citizens. It is thought this is the first time more people came from the EU than outside of it.
But there was a jump in the number of people coming here from Romania and Bulgaria - up 19,000 to 72,000 in the year to September 2016.
And separate figures from the Home Office showed almost a record number of EU nationals were granted British citizenship last year - the only year higher was 2013.
Most of the people who came to Britain from the EU had a job to go to - but 67,000 did not.
Overall immigration was estimated to be 596,000 in the year to September and those leaving was thought to be around 323,000.
Nicola White, Head of International Migration Statistics at the Office for National Statistics, said: "Although we have seen a fall in net migration of EU citizens there have been continued increases in immigration from Romania and Bulgaria, so it is too early to say what effect the referendum result has had on long-term international migration.
"There has been a statistically significant decrease in non-EU long-term students immigrating to the UK while a small increase was seen in the number of study visas issued. It is too early to tell if this is an indication of a long-term trend."
Immigration Minister, Robert Goodwill said: "The fall in net migration is encouraging. But this is just one set of statistics and we must not get carried away.
"We will continue reforming routes to the UK from outside Europe and will use the opportunity to take control of immigration from within the EU as we begin Brexit negotiations in the coming weeks.
"The UK will always welcome those who contribute and benefit our country, but there is no consent for uncontrolled immigration."
In the year to June 2016, net migration was running at a near record high of 335,000.
Last quarter's results showed the inflow of EU migrants hit a historic high of 284,000.
Ministers are expected to announce new controls on immigration after we leave the EU but the Government has remained tight-lipped about their plans so far.
Earlier this month the Government admitted large numbers of EU migrants may continue to pour into Britain for years after Brexit.
In the PM’s white paper for MPs on Brexit, officials dubbed the introduction of a new immigration system as “complex”, adding: “There may be a phased process of implementation to prepare for the new arrangements”.
A more gradual halt to the huge current influx would “give businesses and individuals enough time to plan and prepare for those new arrangements”, the document added.
The figures were the first since Britain voted to leave the EU