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Immigration sees UK population rocket

Friday, 26th February 2010

The latest immigration figures have prompted the Migrationwatch think-tank to warn that Britain’s population is heading swiftly towards the 70m mark.

Labour’s open-door policies have resulted in another surge in new arrivals, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. Almost 204,000 immigrants were granted UK passports in 2009 – a rise of 58% on 2008 figures.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, said: “There is not sign here of any reduction in immigration. We are still headed for a population of 70m by 2030 unless the main political parties face up to the steps that need to be taken.”

UKIP is the only party offering a real solution to the problem – a five-year freeze on permanent immigration along with more strict control of work permits and student visas.

In addition to the 204,000 foreigners granted British passports, last year 190,000 immigrants were given the right to settle in the UK without full citizenship. There was also a 30% rise in the number of foreign nationals arriving on student visas.

In all, 518,000 immigrants came to the UK in the 12 months before the end of June with a net influx of 147,000.

The news comes only days after a freedom of information request unearthed a document published in 2000 proving that Labour ministers deliberately encouraged mass immigration and were even advised to describe as racist anyone who opposed an open door policy.

As UK unemployment continues to rise, the Tories have accused Gordon Brown of going back on his ‘British jobs for British workers’ promise. The Lib Dems have also accused Labour of mismanaging border controls.

Read UKIP’s immigration policy here

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