Commenting on the figures Mr Alp Mehmet, Vice Chairman of Migration Watch UK said:
“The ONS figures clearly show that immigration is the main driver of population growth in the UK. Net immigration to the UK in the year to June 2012 was 165,000, 40% of the total figure.
The figures also show a rapid increase in the babies born to foreign born mothers which now account for over a quarter of the total while births to UK born mothers are remaining static. These figures have a significant bearing on future needs like school places and housing as well as services.
This is why the government has to stay the course in its efforts to bring immigration under control.”