Net UK migration fell by third to 230,000 in year after Brexit vote

Migration
Thursday 30 November 2017 at 9:52am

Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand

Net migration to the UK fell by more than 100,000 in the year after the EU referendum, official figures show.

The measure - the difference between the numbers arriving and leaving the country for at least a year - was an estimated 230,000 in the 12 months to the end of June 2017.

This was a fall of 106,000 compared with the record level of 336,000 in the previous year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

But it added that overall more people are still coming to live in the UK than are leaving.

'Significant' fall in EU net migration

EU net migration fell to 107,000, down 82,000 in what was described as a "statistically significant" decrease.

The ONS said over three-quarters of the decrease in net migration was accounted for by EU citizens.

The number of EU citizens leaving was 123,000 the highest since the year to December 2008. It was also up 29% on the previous 12 months.

Net migration for non-EU citizens was 173,000.

43% drop in people who came to UK 'looking for work'

The number of people moving to the UK to take up a “definite job” has remained stable at 187,000.

But fewer people came to the UK “looking for work”, down 56,000 to 74,000.

ONS: Brexit is 'likely a factor' in decision to move to or from UK

Nicola White, head of migration statistics at the ONS, said: "Over three-quarters of the fall in net migration was accounted for by EU citizens.

Ms White said the decline follows "historically high levels of immigration", adding that it is "too early to say whether this represents a long-term trend".

"The number of people immigrating for a definite job has remained stable but there has been a 43% decrease in the number of people immigrating to look for work over the last year, especially for EU citizens.

"These changes suggest that Brexit is likely to be a factor in people's decision to move to or from the UK - but decisions to migrate are complex and other factors are also going to be influencing the figures."