Net migration figure to Britain at five-year low

Official figures show number has fallen from record levels of a third of a million but it is still well above government target of less than 100,000

Net migration from the EU to the UK has fallen to its lowest level in nearly five years, official figures show.

An estimated 101,000 more people from the bloc arrived than left in 2017, according to the first data for a full calendar year since the Brexit vote.

The latest figure is the lowest for any 12-month period since the year to March 2013, when it stood at 95,000.

Overall net migration — the difference between the numbers of people arriving and departing for at least 12 months and including non-EU nationals — was around 282,000 in 2017.

This was up by 33,000 on the previous year, but statisticians attributed the rise to an “unusual pattern” in estimates of non-EU student immigration for 2016 which research shows was an “anomaly”.

Immigration figures published since the EU referendum have sparked claims of a “Brexodus” — though commentators pointed out more people are still coming to live in the UK than departing. While net migration has fallen from record levels of a third of a million in 2015 and 2016, it is still well above the government’s target of less than 100,000.

Nicola White, of the ONS’s migration statistics division, said: “With around 280,000 more people coming to the UK than leaving in 2017, these latest figures show that migration has continued to add to the UK population.

Lord Green of Deddington, chairman of Migration Watch UK, described the figures as “very disappointing”.

He said: “Migration from the EU is still adding 100,000 a year to our population and non-EU net migration is the highest level in a calendar year for 13 years. It’s time for the government to get serious about reducing immigration instead of caving into every demand of the immigration lobby.”

Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said: “Like the ‘hostile environment’, it’s clear to almost everyone except Theresa May the net migration target should go.”

James Stewart, of KPMG UK, said: “Although net migration is on a slight upwards trajectory again what we’re hearing is sectors such as construction, food production, retail and hospitality are all struggling to find affordable labour, and costs are climbing.”

The PM official spokesman said: “We remain committed to bringing net migration down to sustainable levels, and that is the tens of thousands.”

Passengers crossing the UK Border at Heathrow Airport. The latest official migration report figures show net migration from the EU is down.