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Non EU migration continues to fall
The latest immigration figures show that net migration from outside the EU continues to fall and is now at the lowest level since 1998.
Where the government can control immigration we continue to see the results of our immigration reforms.
Cutting abuse
We have cut abuse in the student, family and work routes and as a result non-EU net migration is down by more than a third, in the year ending September 2013 according to new figures , compared to when the government came to power in 2010.
Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire, said:
Uncontrolled, mass immigration makes it difficult to maintain social cohesion, puts pressure on our public services and forces down wages for people on low incomes.
And overall figures are also well down from when we first came to government in 2010 – with nearly 70,000 fewer migrants coming to the UK. Numbers are down across the board in areas where we can control immigration, but arrivals from the EU have doubled in the last year.
EU migrant increase
The rise in net migration can be accounted for by the increase in EU migrants, including nationals from France, Germany and Spain, coming to the UK to work. Two thirds of these migrants are coming to the UK with a definite job offer.
No EU national has unrestricted access to the UK, they must be working, studying or self sufficient. We are focusing on cutting out the abuse of free movement between EU member states and addressing the factors that drive European immigration to Britain.
Fair immigration system
Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire, said:
The government is ensuring that our controls on accessing benefits and services, including the NHS and social housing, are among the tightest in Europe. We cannot impose formal immigration controls on EU migrants, so we are focusing on cutting out the abuse of free movement between EU member states and seeking to address the factors that drive European immigration to Britain.
We are building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants, that is tough on those who abuse the system or flout the law, and that ensures people come to the UK for the right reasons – to work hard and contribute to our economy and society.
