Brexit effect halts UK population growth with 43pc decline in economic migrants

THE UK population is growing at its slowest rate in 14 years because Brexit means fewer EU migrants are arriving here without a job, ONS figures show.

The data shows that the population hit 66 million for the first time in mid2017 but is growing at a rate of 0.6 per cent, the lowest since mid-2004.

While the number of people coming to the UK to take on a job they have already secured has remained stable, the number immigrating to look for work fell by 43 per cent in the year following the Brexit vote, a trend that is particularly stark for EU citizens.

The report said that the fall in the number of immigrants was the “largest single driver of the lower level of population growth in the year to mid-2017”. It added: “Over three-quarters of the decrease in net migration can be accounted for by EU citizens,”

The overall number of international immigrants was 572,000, 78,000 fewer than in 2016, a 12 per cent fall.

The number of new EU citizens in the UK fell by 82,000 between 2016 and 2017, from 189,000 to 107,000.

“The EU referendum is likely to be one of the key drivers of these changes,” the report added.

“The number of people immigrating for a definite job has remained stable but there has been a 43 per cent decrease in the number of people immigrating to look for work over the last year, especially for EU citizens,” it said.

Neil Park, head of the population estimates unit at the Office for National Statistics, said: “This is the lowest annual population growth since 2004 due to a fall in net migration, fewer births and more deaths than previously seen. The effect is most pronounced in London and other areas that have seen high levels of immigration in recent years.”

ONS figures from earlier this year showed net migration to the UK from the EU in the year to September 2017 fell below 100,000 for the first time in more than four years, at 90,000, down from an estimated 165,000 in the previous year, a fall of 45 per cent.

During the year to June 2017 the overall population growth was 392,000 people. Overall, 59 per cent of the slowed-down rate of population growth can be attributed to the lower rate of migration, while 41 per cent is down to lower birth and higher death rates.

About two-fifths of local authority areas showed negative natural change, reflecting an ageing population.