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| Drop in East European migration | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of Eastern European migrants coming to work in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since EU expansion in 2004, Home Office figures show. | The number of Eastern European migrants coming to work in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since EU expansion in 2004, Home Office figures show. |
| Between April and June 2008 there were 40,000 applications - a drop of 14,000 from the same period in 2007. | Between April and June 2008 there were 40,000 applications - a drop of 14,000 from the same period in 2007. |
| Figures also show that in the first six months of 2008, 32,230 "immigrant offenders" were removed from the UK, along with 2,500 foreign prisoners. | Figures also show that in the first six months of 2008, 32,230 "immigrant offenders" were removed from the UK, along with 2,500 foreign prisoners. |
| The immigration minister said Britain's borders were "stronger than ever". | The immigration minister said Britain's borders were "stronger than ever". |
| Liam Byrne said asylum applications were "at an historic low and an immigration offender removed every eight minutes". | Liam Byrne said asylum applications were "at an historic low and an immigration offender removed every eight minutes". |
| "Foreign lawbreakers are being removed from Britain at record levels with more than 2,500 deported so far this year," he said. | "Foreign lawbreakers are being removed from Britain at record levels with more than 2,500 deported so far this year," he said. |
| "I have made it repeatedly clear that people who come here must earn the right to stay, work hard and play by the rules." | "I have made it repeatedly clear that people who come here must earn the right to stay, work hard and play by the rules." |
| Removals target | Removals target |
| Statistics show the number of immigration offenders removed in the first six months of this year was up 6% on the same period last year. | Statistics show the number of immigration offenders removed in the first six months of this year was up 6% on the same period last year. |
| In addition, the number of foreign prisoners deported from the UK at the end of their sentences increased by 23%. | In addition, the number of foreign prisoners deported from the UK at the end of their sentences increased by 23%. |
| The Home Office said this proved it was on course to meet its target of at least 5,000 prisoners removed by the end of the year. | The Home Office said this proved it was on course to meet its target of at least 5,000 prisoners removed by the end of the year. |
| Eight countries joined the EU in 2004, including Poland and the Czech Republic. | Eight countries joined the EU in 2004, including Poland and the Czech Republic. |
| Applications from those countries for the Worker Registration Scheme fell by 9,000 in the second quarter of this year compared to the first. | Applications from those countries for the Worker Registration Scheme fell by 9,000 in the second quarter of this year compared to the first. |
| The number of applications from Bulgarians and Romanians - countries which joined the EU in 2007 - have also dropped to 7,005, compared to 10,860 in the same period last year. | The number of applications from Bulgarians and Romanians - countries which joined the EU in 2007 - have also dropped to 7,005, compared to 10,860 in the same period last year. |
| The government has also published a consultation on proposed reforms to the immigration appeals system which it says could reduce the time taken to process a case by nine weeks. | |
| If adopted, ministers say the new procedures would take up less court time and allow "faster removal of unsuccessful applicants". | |
| On Wednesday, it was announced that by 2014 almost all visitors to Britain will be counted in and out of the country and checked against security "watch-lists". |