According to the Office for National Statistics, a number of “extraordinary world events,” such as the conflict in Ukraine and the lifting of shutdown restrictions, have caused net migration to the United Kingdom to reach a record high of 500,000. (ONS).
In the 12 months leading up to June 2022, it is predicted that 504,000 more individuals moved to the UK than departed, a significant increase from the 173,000 who left in the same period.
Change in operations
Jay Lindop, ONS deputy director of the Centre for International Migrations, said:
“A series of world events have impacted international migration patterns in the 12 months to June 2022. Taken together these were unprecedented.
“These include the end of lockdown restrictions in the UK, the first full period following transition from the EU, the war in Ukraine, the resettlement of Afghans and the new visa route for Hong Kong British nationals, which have all contributed to the record levels of long-term immigration we have seen.
“Migration from non-EU countries, specifically students, is driving this rise. With the lifting of travel restrictions in 2021, more students arrived in the UK after studying remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“However, there has also been a large increase in the number of people migrating for a range of other reasons. This includes people arriving for humanitarian protection, such as those coming from Ukraine, as well as for family reasons.
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