Two million immigrants have moved to the UK since 2001
October 19 2009 by Liam Clifford
Immigration to the UK has increased, with 50% increase in people being born abroad that now live here from 2001.
A government-commissioned report has revealed that immigration to the UK has increased by 50% and the number of immigrants living in the UK has increased by two million since 2001.
Research by Oxford Economics suggest that around 6.6 million people, who were born abroad, now live in the UK - up from 4.3 million in 2001. The figures were taken from a study carried out for the Department of Communities and Local Government.
The percentage of people living in the UK that were born abroad now stands at just shy of 11 per cent, compared with 7.5 per cent eight years ago.
Much of the increase has come from members of new EU states coming to work in the UK, filling major gaps in the UK labour market.
In response to some suggestions that the number of people being granted UK visas needs to be reduced, the Department of Communities and Local Governments stated, “the government has introduced a migration system that is firmly rooted in fairness. New controls on migrants mean that only those whose skills the country needs and no more can come here."
The statement continued in regard to immigration to the UK, “this maximises the benefits for Britain and ensures that, despite change, the playing field remains level for everyone."
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