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More long-term migrants to UK | More long-term migrants to UK |
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The number of migrants coming to the UK for a year or more has risen to a record level, figures show. | The number of migrants coming to the UK for a year or more has risen to a record level, figures show. |
Between mid-2006 and mid-2007, 605,000 long-term migrants arrived, up from 591,000 in the previous 12 months, said the Office for National Statistics. | Between mid-2006 and mid-2007, 605,000 long-term migrants arrived, up from 591,000 in the previous 12 months, said the Office for National Statistics. |
The UK's population is growing by about a million every three years, also due to a rise in births, the ONS said. | The UK's population is growing by about a million every three years, also due to a rise in births, the ONS said. |
About two-thirds of the increase in births were accounted for by women born outside the UK. | About two-thirds of the increase in births were accounted for by women born outside the UK. |
'Yesterday's migrants' | 'Yesterday's migrants' |
As of mid-2007, the UK population was almost 61 million, an increase of 388,000 from 2006. | As of mid-2007, the UK population was almost 61 million, an increase of 388,000 from 2006. |
It is rising despite a record level of emigration - in 2006/7, about 406,000 left the UK. | It is rising despite a record level of emigration - in 2006/7, about 406,000 left the UK. |
On average, that means about 1,650 are arriving in the UK each day, compared to 1,100 leaving. | On average, that means about 1,650 are arriving in the UK each day, compared to 1,100 leaving. |
UK Independence Party MEP Godfrey Bloom said the figures proved Britain did not have "proper" border controls. | |
He said the increase in the number of long-term migrant workers "belies the prime minister's promise of 'British jobs for British workers'". | |
There were 187,000 more births than deaths in the 12-month period. Recent migrants have changed the number of people in that age band when women are typically having their children Guy GoodwinOffice for National Statistics Drop in East European migration | |
Statistics show that the number of babies with foreign-born mothers has almost doubled in the last decade, from 84,497 in 1997 to 160,340 in 2007. | |
In some cities, including London, Slough and Luton, more than half of babies have mothers born overseas, and in the London borough of Newham the figure is 75%. | |
Guy Goodwin, from the ONS, told the BBC: "Effectively these are yesterday's migrants, as well as today's migrants, contributing to this high level of population growth." | Guy Goodwin, from the ONS, told the BBC: "Effectively these are yesterday's migrants, as well as today's migrants, contributing to this high level of population growth." |
Mr Goodwin said that a few years ago the contribution of births to population growth was actually falling, but now that trend has been reversed. | Mr Goodwin said that a few years ago the contribution of births to population growth was actually falling, but now that trend has been reversed. |
"There are two main drivers [for that]," he said. | "There are two main drivers [for that]," he said. |
"One is an increase in the fertility rates for both UK and non-UK born mums, but also it's because recent migrants have changed the number of people in that age band - child-bearing age." | "One is an increase in the fertility rates for both UK and non-UK born mums, but also it's because recent migrants have changed the number of people in that age band - child-bearing age." |
Shadow Home Secretary, Dominic Grieve said immigration could benefit the country, "but only if it is properly controlled". | |
"With births to foreign mothers becoming such a large driver of population growth, it is vital that immigration levels are set taking into account the ability of our schools, hospitals and other local services to cope," he said. | |
A second set of figures released by the Home Office on Thursday showed that the number of East European migrants coming to the UK to work has fallen to its lowest level since EU expansion in 2004. | A second set of figures released by the Home Office on Thursday showed that the number of East European migrants coming to the UK to work has fallen to its lowest level since EU expansion in 2004. |