Net migration hits 244K in biggest rise in non-EU citizens in six years fuelled by an influx of Chinese, Japanese and Koreans

NET IMMIGRATION has surged to a whopping 244,000 – after the biggest rise in arrivals from outside the EU for SIX YEARS.

Official figures yesterday revealed net migration in the year to September was 14,000 higher than in the 12 months to June.

The increase came despite the number of EU migrants crossing the Channel falling to below 100,000 for the first time since early 2013.

The net figure from the rest of the world leapt to 205,000 from 173,000 in the year to June on record numbers of Chinese, Japanese and Koreans.

The overall 244,000 increase is equivalent to the UK’s population going up by a town the size of Portsmouth or Plymouth.

Migration Watch urged Theresa May to take advantage of Brexit by regaining control of Britain’s borders.

Alp Mehmet, the think tank’s vice chair, said: “Net migration is running at nearly a quarter of a million a year. This will mean building a city the size of Birmingham every two or three years.

“Brexit must further reduce net migration from the EU and the government must redouble efforts to cut the net inflow of 200,000 from outside the EU.”

But pro-EU campaigners said the figures showed the effects of the bombshell Brexit vote two years ago – and raised fears of a ‘Brexodus’.

The fall in EU migrants was triggered by a halving in the numbers of Europeans coming to the UK in the hope of getting a job to 32,000.

Some 130,000 EU citizens also left the UK – the highest number since 2008.

Yesterday figures revealed that there were more EU citizens working in the EU than ever before.

But there was a fall in people from Eastern Europeans who were employed in the UK last year.

Jonathan Portes, professor of Economic and Public Policy at King’s College London said: “Net migration from the EU has fallen by more than half since its recent peak, and is now under 100,000 for the first time since 2013.

“This is due to the fact that, after the Brexit vote, the UK has become significantly less attractive to European migrants, for both economic and psychological reasons.”

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said the Government was committed to having a “controlled and sustainable” migration policy.

She said: “This means an immigration system that attracts and retains people who come to work and bring significant benefits to the UK but does not offer an open door to those who don’t.”

Yesterday’s figures revealed overall immigration was a mammoth 578,000 in the year to September.

The 205,000 rise in net migration from outside the EU was fuelled by a 135,000 increase in arrivals from Asia.

Some 55,000 came from East Asia – fuelled by students. Brussels free movement rules mean the Government can only control migration from outside the European Union.

Both David Cameron and Theresa May pledged to cut net migration to below 100,000 when they took office in 2010. The PM hinted earlier this month that she may be ready to ditch the goal when saying international students no longer have an impact of migration numbers.

James Dobson, senior researcher at Bright Blue, said: “Today’s figures reveal that the Government has once again failed to meet its net migration target.

“It has now been missed in every quarter since its introduction in 2010.

“There is an urgent need for new targets and debate on immigration in this country.

"The current target is arbitrary and indiscriminate, and the repeated failure to meet it has contributed to a belief that immigration is ‘out of control’ and detrimental to this country.”