Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Recent government data reveal that net migration to the UK, which measures the difference between the number of people arriving and those departing, has decreased to levels close to those seen before the Covid-19 pandemic. This reduction in net migration sits within a broader context that includes various migration-related statistics such as total immigration, small boat arrivals, and visa issuances. Understanding these diverse figures provides a fuller picture of migration trends affecting the UK.
Net migration statistics, as provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), follow an internationally accepted definition of a long-term migrant—someone relocating to another country for at least a year. It’s important to note that net migration numbers are rounded and may not perfectly equal the difference between immigration and emigration totals. Data on immigration and emigration from ONS are updated biannually, while Home Office figures on small boats are refreshed daily, and asylum, visa, and returns statistics come out quarterly. Additionally, information on appeals following refused asylum applications is provided every three months by the Ministry of Justice.
Visa data track individuals granted permission to enter the UK but exclude visitors or those in transit whose final destination lies elsewhere. These figures count every visa granted within the year, including multiple visas for the same person. Categories of visas include work (with subcategories such as seasonal, healthcare, and youth mobility), study (covering both long-term sponsored students and short-term study visas), family (for those joining close relatives or providing care), and a miscellaneous “Other” category that encompasses humanitarian routes like the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme as well as family permits for EU and EEA nationals. This system helps categorize the varied reasons people enter or remain in the UK legally.
Regarding immigration enforcement and irregular migration, small boat crossings have been closely monitored by the Home Office with daily updates. While unauthorized entry into the UK is illegal, individuals claiming asylum upon arrival are generally not prosecuted solely for crossing without permission. Some prosecutions occur when irregular entry coincides with other offences such as people smuggling or re-entry after deportation. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also maintains records of deaths and disappearances during Channel crossings, although these figures likely underrepresent the true scale due to limited official data. Other forms of irregular entry, including inadequately documented air arrivals and detections at UK ports, are also tracked. Modern slavery figures are limited to final decisions and cover trafficking, slavery, servitude, or forced labor. The data also distinguish between returns and deportations, noting that people denied entry who then leave are not counted among returns, with returns including enforced deportations and voluntary returns facilitated or controlled by the government
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.