EU net migration plummets to its lowest level since 2003: ONS

The latest report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) states that net migration from the EU is now at 48,000 for the year ending September 2019. This figure peaked in 2015, when it was at 219,000.

Net migration numbers are the difference between those coming to the UK for over a year and those leaving the UK to live elsewhere for over a year. According to the latest ONS figures, 151,000 EU citizens left the UK whereas 199,000 arrived.

The net migration for both non-EU and EU has also fallen to 212,000, which is primarily because of the fall in EU net migration and the number of British nationals leaving the UK. However, the number of non-EU nationals coming to the UK has seen an increase to 229,000, which is largely through an increasing number of students from India & China.

Comment

The fall in EU numbers represents a further challenge for the future government as the shortage of workers in sectors increase. The current immigration system does not provide a provision for lower-skilled workers who provide vital resources to businesses.

As the UK has not left the EU yet, those entering the UK now would still benefit from the EU Settlement Scheme, allowing them to remain in the UK permanently. This scheme may also be helpful for businesses who may want to consider attracting EU workers, in an otherwise uncertain environment.

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