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See other news storiesLatest immigration figures released
22 August 2006
The government published the latest asylum and immigration figures, which show record levels of expulsions of failed asylum applicants.
Several different immigration studies were released today, including quarterly asylum totals, immigration control statistics, European Community Association immigration figures (new window), and a European Union accession states immigration report (new window). These statistics reveal a complex picture of UK immigration.
Successfully removing failed asylum applicants
The number of applications submitted by foreign nationals seeking asylum in the UK fell by 15% in the second quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter, and removals of failed asylum applicants increased by 36% in that quarter compared to the same quarter in 2005.
This means that removals of failed asylum applicants is at its highest rate ever, while asylum intake is at its lowest level since 1993.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said, 'We have met our target of removing more failed asylum seekers than the number of predicted unfounded claims received.'
Nonetheless, he added, 'there is more still to do, and we are not complacent. Maintaining this performance will continue to be a major challenge, but we are determined not to lose ground we have gained in the past year, and we will strive to build further on our success.'
More work permits issued
Figures show that a total of 137,000 work permit holders and their families were admitted to the UK in 2005, an increase of 10% over 2004. Similarly, the number of foreign nationals settling in the UK increased by 29% to 179,210.
During the same period, 58,215 people were removed from the UK - a decrease of 5% over 2004.
Mr McNulty said the government is committed to ensuring that those entering the UK will benefit the UK economy. He pointed out that the government's recently announced points-based immigration system will help control migration more effectively. 'It will allow only those people with the skills the UK needs to come to this country, while preventing those without skills applying.'
Migration from EU accession states
Figures on the number of immigrants from EU accession states who registered to work in the UK show that 447,000 people applied to the Worker Registration Scheme in the two years from May 2004 to June 2006. Of those, just over 427,000 were approved.
Few of those who came from EU accession states brought families with them - an estimated 36,000 dependents are believed to have accompanied the workers.
Mr McNulty said the new migrant workers were filling a gap in the UK labour market that could noo be met from those born in the UK. However, he added, 'We are yet to take a decision as to what access Bulgarian and Romanian nationals will have to our labour market when they join the EU.'
Any decision on that issue will be based on objective factors, he said, including an evaluation of the UK labour market and the position of other EU member states.
