150,000 illegal migrants ‘sneak in each year’
ABOUT 150,000 illegal immigrants sneak into Britain each year, according to secret Home Office estimates published today.
The clandestine arrivals are on top of the 250,000 people crossing our borders legally per annum, a report said.
The claim is made in a think tank report The Politics Of Fantasy co-authored by former border control chief David Wood and former Home Office speechwriter Alastair Palmer.
Mr Wood also accused Government ministers of concealing the true level of immigration to avoid “politically embarrassment”.
Published by think tank Civitas, the report said: “The Home Office has not published any estimate of illegal immigration since 2005.
“It has produced further estimates – but for internal consumption only.
“Those estimates are partly based on the number of illegal immigrants that officials encounter as they check businesses, colleges and housing to make sure that immigration law and regulations are being followed.”
The authors admit it is “understandable that the Home Office should have kept those estimates to itself” but say figures should be released.
Immigration Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Our laws are being enforced. It is harder than ever for those with no right to be here to remain.”