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UK population 'to hit 65m total' Population 'to hit 65m by 2016'
(about 8 hours later)
The population of the UK is set to increase by 4.4 million to 65 million by 2016, according to new projections.The population of the UK is set to increase by 4.4 million to 65 million by 2016, according to new projections.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates 2.3 million of the rise would be a natural increase and 2.1 million down to migration. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that 2.1 million of the overall rise can be put down to immigration alone.
Further projections say the population would reach 71 million by 2031 and 77 million in 2051.Further projections say the population would reach 71 million by 2031 and 77 million in 2051.
Forecasts of fertility, life expectancy and inward migration have all increased since they were last made in 2004.Forecasts of fertility, life expectancy and inward migration have all increased since they were last made in 2004.
Average age Estimates of the amount of migration inflow have risen to a net 190,000 a year from 145,000 a year.
Estimates of the amount of migration inflow have been upped to a net 190,000 a year from 145,000 a year. 'Extra strain'
Total population rises by 2016 are put at 8% for England, 7% for Northern Ireland and 5% for Wales. In percentages, total population rises by 2016 are put at 8% for England, 7% for Northern Ireland, 5% for Wales and 3% for Scotland.
It underlines the need for swift and sweeping changes to the immigration system Liam ByrneImmigration Minister The number of those aged 75 and over is projected to increase from 4.7 million in 2006 to 5.5 million by 2016 to 8.2 million by 2031.
The figure is 3% for Scotland, where fertility and life expectancy are projected to remain lower than the rest of the UK. The projection says more births than deaths will account for just over half of population growth to 2031.
The average age of Britons is expected to rise from 39.6 years in 2006 to 40.6 years in 2016 and to 42.6 years by 2031. Detailed figures however show some of those born to relatively younger migrants will push up the birth rate.
Those aged 75 and over are projected to increase from 4.7 million in 2006 to 5.5 million by 2016 and 8.2 million by 2031. Experts say this means 69% of Britain's predicted population growth maybe associated directly, or indirectly, to immigration.
The number of people of working age is put at 38.6 million in 2010, 41.5 million by 2020 and 43.4 million by 2031, from 37.7 million in 2006.
Points system
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said the projections showed it was necessary to "take action" on inward migration.
He said: "Frankly, it underlines the need for swift and sweeping changes to the immigration system in the next 12 months, which will include the introduction of an Australian-style points based system, so only those that Britain needs can come to work and study."
Mr Byrne added: "I think it shows we are right to set the point score for new migrants by considering not only the good of the economy but the realities of immigration's wider impact."
Conservative spokesman Damian Green said it was "ever more urgent" for the government to control immigration.Conservative spokesman Damian Green said it was "ever more urgent" for the government to control immigration.
He called for a "gradual and sensible growth of population rather than this headlong growth in population which is bound to put extra strain on public services such as provision of housing and education".He called for a "gradual and sensible growth of population rather than this headlong growth in population which is bound to put extra strain on public services such as provision of housing and education".
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said changes were being made to the immigration system in the next 12 months which would mean "only those that Britain needs can come to work and study".
'Huge impact''Huge impact'
Sir Andrew Green, chairman of pressure group Migrationwatch, said "Population growing at this speed is just incredible - twice the population of London by the mid-centurySir Andrew Green, chairman of pressure group Migrationwatch, said "Population growing at this speed is just incredible - twice the population of London by the mid-century
"Huge impact on our infrastructure, on our public services, and indeed on the whole nature of our society, and all of it taking place without the public ever being consulted.""Huge impact on our infrastructure, on our public services, and indeed on the whole nature of our society, and all of it taking place without the public ever being consulted."
A spokeswoman for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said: "We need figures, not just the growth of population but where it is growing and how, and the impact on services and the economy. A spokeswoman for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said: "We need figures - not just the growth of population but where it is growing and how, and the impact on services and the economy.
"Just calling for a cap on immigration will not respond adequately to complex changes in the existing population such as the growth of single-person households and the migration of the existing population within the UK.""Just calling for a cap on immigration will not respond adequately to complex changes in the existing population such as the growth of single-person households and the migration of the existing population within the UK."
Jonathon Porritt, patron of the Optimum Population Trust think-tank, called for an "intelligent debate" on growing numbers of people in the UK.Jonathon Porritt, patron of the Optimum Population Trust think-tank, called for an "intelligent debate" on growing numbers of people in the UK.
He said: "If it quickly defaults into pro or anti-immigration - which is an extremely unhelpful place for the debate to go - it means we constantly avoid the discussion about human numbers. He said: "If it quickly defaults into pro or anti-immigration... it means we constantly avoid the discussion about human numbers.
"We miss the subtle debate about the impact of population on an already congested island.""We miss the subtle debate about the impact of population on an already congested island."
BBC News economics editor Evan Davis said if the UK tried to shoehorn the population into existing roads, hospitals and schools it could lead to tensions and feelings of crowdedness.BBC News economics editor Evan Davis said if the UK tried to shoehorn the population into existing roads, hospitals and schools it could lead to tensions and feelings of crowdedness.
He said he saw the figures as a wake-up call to think about how the process of absorbing population growth is managed. He said he saw the figures as a wake-up call to think about how the process of absorbing population growth was managed.