Mass immigration will add extra 6.1MILLION people to Britain’s population by 2036

MASS immigration will grow Britain by 6.1million people within just 15 years, staggering figures today reveal. 

The population is set to rise from 67million in 2021 to 73.7million by 2036, according to the Office for National Statistics.

It will pile more pressure on Rishi Sunak to get a grip on surging numbers and sparked a fresh Tory backlash. 

Reacting to the stats, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman said today: "I campaigned for Brexit to reduce migration.

"These numbers are too high, placing pressure on schools, the NHS & housing.

"Recent government measures will help a bit but they’re very late. We need a cap on overall numbers so we can hold government to account & fix this problem."

Echoing her comments, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick also said: "There is no democratic consent for this outcome.

"The pace of change is far too fast. The power to change this, and set us on course for far more sustainable numbers, is in the governments hands."

To head off public anger, James Cleverly is laying out more details of the recent crackdown on foreign workers and their families today.

The Home Secretary said: “I’ve been clear that migration is too high and we must get back to sustainable levels.

"Last year I set out robust measures to reduce the numbers coming into our country – tightening the rules on care workers, skilled workers, and making sure that people can support their family members that they bring over. 

“It is a firm approach, but a fair one, and gives those affected time to prepare whilst ensuring that migration comes down. The British people want to see action, not words.

";We are delivering the change we promised and which they expect, lifting pressure on public services and protecting British workers with the utmost urgency.” 

The expected 6.6million population boost is a 9.9 per cent rise in the 2021 level. 

It includes 541,000 more births than deaths, while the remaining 6.1million is annual net migration.

Last year net migration was more than 745,000 - almost all legal - but the ONS expects that figure to settle at around 315,000 from 2028.

The British people want to see action, not words

James Cleverly

Previous Tory governments have vowed - and failed - to get annual net migration below 100,000. 

Mr Sunak remains committed to the 2019 manifesto commitment to cut the numbers below 250,000 per year although is on course to fall wildly short before the election.

Late last year he announced a package of measures to reduce the overall numbers by 300,000 a year.

As part of the crackdown the Shortage Occupation List, which allows firms to bring people over on visas for 20 per cent less than the going rate, will be scrapped.

The salary threshold for foreign workers will be raised from £26,200 to £38,700 — a 48 per cent hike — in a win for right-wing Tory MPs who have been pushing for just such an increase.

However, people coming to work in health and social care will be exempt from the raised salary rules.

Those already in Britain wanting to sponsor loved ones to bring them in on a family visa will also need to earn £38,700 — up from £18,600 — the first increase since 2012.