Net migration in great Britain hit a new record in 2022with total 745,000 immigrantssurpassing the previous maximum recorded in May of the same year of 606,000, a phenomenon described by some members of the Conservative Party as “unsustainable”.

This increase continues until June 2023, with net migration of 672,000 people, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which reports that in that period there were 1.2 million immigrants entering, in contrast to emigration of 508,000 people. .

The majority of these immigrants, approximately 968,000, They come from countries that are not members of the European Union (EU)followed by EU and UK citizens, with 129,000 and 84,000 respectively, according to the official body.

Analysts argue that these demographic changes reflect the transformation of migration patterns since the coronavirus pandemic.

Asylum and visa programs for citizens of China and the former British colony of Hong Kong and for refugees from Ukraine, as well as a Increased arrivals of students and non-EU workers are driving this increase.

In June 2023, migrant workers accounted for 33% of total non-EU immigration, with a significant increase compared to June 2022.

Citizens of India, Nigeria and Zimbabwe are leading the way in obtaining work visasparticularly in the health and care sector.

Meanwhile, work-related emigration also increased to 45,000 people.

That immigration for studies also showed an increase, with 378,000 arrivals in June 2023, mainly due to an increase in dependent family members of students, mainly from Nigeria and India.

New postgraduate visa routes were a key factor in this growth, which rose to 115,000.

Regarding humanitarian routes, immigration decreased to 83,000, a significant decrease from the 157,000 recorded in June 2022, with Ukrainian and Hong Kong nationals being the most prominent.

Immigration and emigration for family reasons remained stablewith a slight increase in net migration.

The UK Home Office reported that 90% of the 40,386 people who arrived by dangerous boat through the English Channel, up to June 2023, applied for asylum or were listed as dependents in their asylum applications.

A complex reality

These figures demonstrate the complex reality of the migration landscape in the UK, characterized by significant increases in net migration numbers and changing immigration and emigration trends.

According to British radio station Sky News, the conservative deputy and former minister Simon Clarke expressed his concern about the current situation, citing that reason “it is not sustainable both economically and socially” maintaining high levels of legal migration.

Similarly, Labour’s shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, launched a harsh criticism of the current Government, pointing out that statistics reveal “the extent of the Conservative Party’s total failure on immigration, asylum and the economy.”

Responding to the criticism, Home Secretary, James Cleverly, for his part, emphasized the government’s commitment to managing the situation and assured that The government remains “fully committed to reducing levels of legal immigration”, while focusing on “relentlessly tackling” illegal migration.

One of the main reasons why the UK voted to leave the EU was control over immigration.

Fears after Brexit

During the period leading up to the referendum Brexit In 2016, there was growing concern among much of the UK population and some politicians about the level of immigration, particularly from other EU countries.

As a member of the EU, the UK is subject to the EU’s free movement policy, which allows citizens of EU Member States to live and work in other Member States, including the UK, without requiring a visa or work permit.

this aspect Membership in the EU is seen by many in the UK as relinquishing control over its own borders and immigration policy.

Brexiteers think so Leaving the EU would allow the UK to regain full control of its borders and set its own immigration policy.potentially limiting the number of people who can enter the country and work there.