Ministers brace for immigration to top 700,000 in figures TODAY – as poll finds Labour are more trusted than the Tories on the key issue

  • The Office for National Statistics will publish data for the year to December 

Ministers are braced for immigration to soar towards a million when fresh figures are released today.

Long-awaited statistics are expected to show another huge spike in net migration in 2022, likely to more than 700,000, after the year to June saw a record 504,000.

The level is set to spark a furious political row over the Tory manifesto pledge that 'numbers will come down' from the 226,000 in 2019.

Under David Cameron and Theresa May there was a commitment to bring the long-term net migration figures into the tens of thousands, and one of the selling points for Brexit was 'taking back control' of borders. 

MPs have been demanding action from Rishi Sunak, with the fallout underlined in a poll finding Labour are more trusted on immigration.  

The PM has stressed large inflows of refugees from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Hong, and focused on his vow to curb illegal immigration by 'stopping the boats' crossing the Channel. 

The government sought to head off a backlash earlier this week by announcing that most foreign students will be barred from bringing dependants with them.

But allies of Home Secretary Suella Braverman have made clear she wants more drastic steps, and has faced resistance from Cabinet colleagues concerned about damaging the economy.

Former minister John Hayes, a supporter of Ms Braverman, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that businesses needed to recognise they cannot 'turn the tap on and bring people from abroad'.

'I think the government as a whole has got to grasp this. You can't grow your population at 700,000 a year, where on earth are you going to house these people?' he said.  

After more than 500,000 people arrived in 2021, the net numbers for 2022 could soar closer to one million, according to estimates

After more than 500,000 people arrived in 2021, the net numbers for 2022 could soar closer to one million, according to estimates

Total net migration - the difference between the number of people moving to the UK and the number leaving the country - in the 12 months to June 2022 stood at an estimated 504,000

Total net migration - the difference between the number of people moving to the UK and the number leaving the country - in the 12 months to June 2022 stood at an estimated 504,000 

The Office for National Statistics figures will cover the 12 months ending December 2022. They estimate the net migration level - the balance between inflows and outflows - for those who intend to stay in the country for at least a year. 

Analysis by the Centre for Policy Studies suggests the number will have been between 700,000 and 997,000 in that period.

Separate Home Office data is expected to show that the high inflows have continued, with nearly a million migrants granted permission to come to Britain for work or study in the year to March. 

The ONS estimated net migration at 504,000 in the year to June, up from 173,000 in the year to June 2021.

The rise was driven by a series of 'unprecedented world events', according to the ONS, including the war in Ukraine, the end of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the resettlement of Afghan refugees, the new visa route for British nationals from Hong Kong and students arriving from outside the European Union.

Mr Sunak has promised action to bring down net migration, telling reporters on a recent trip to Japan that he wanted to be 'crystal clear' with the public that the 'numbers are too high' and he wants to 'bring them down'.

On Tuesday, the Government announced that overseas students will be banned from bringing dependants to the UK from January 2024.

The change will not apply to those on postgraduate research programmes.

Mr Sunak said it was the 'biggest-ever single measure to tackle legal migration, removing the right for international students to bring dependants, toughening the rules on post-study work, and reviewing maintenance requirements'.

Meanwhile, Labour has unveiled immigration plans under which businesses would be stopped from easing staff shortages by hiring cheaper overseas workers.

During PMQs yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons: 'The Prime Minister stood on three Tory manifestos, each one promised to reduce immigration. Each promise broken.

'This mess on immigration reveals a Tory Party with no ambition for working people and no ambition for Britain, just the same old failed ideas - low wages and high tax.'

Mr Sunak questioned Labour's contribution, saying: 'There are absolutely no ideas ... absolutely no semblance that there would be any control. Why? Because he believes in an open-door migration policy.'

Rishi Sunak has promised action to bring down net migration, telling reporters on a recent trip to Japan that he wanted to be 'crystal clear' with the public that the 'numbers are too high' and he wants to 'bring them down'

Rishi Sunak has promised action to bring down net migration, telling reporters on a recent trip to Japan that he wanted to be 'crystal clear' with the public that the 'numbers are too high' and he wants to 'bring them down'

Allies of Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) have made clear she wants more drastic steps to curb immigration

Allies of Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) have made clear she wants more drastic steps to curb immigration

A new poll has found Labour is more trusted than the Conservatives on immigration.

After a rise in public confidence in the Tories’ immigration, asylum and small boats policies in March, the Ipsos research conducted between May 16 and 18 found trust had fallen again, with Labour leading on all three issues.

Some 38 per cent of people trusted Labour to have the right policies on immigration and asylum seekers, and 37 per cent trusted the party to handle the issue of small boats crossing the Channel.

Just 29 per cent said the same about the Conservatives on immigration, with 28 per cent trusting them on asylum policy and 27 per cent trusting them on small boats.

But there was also widespread pessimism about both parties’ policies on immigration and asylum, with 50 per cent saying they did not trust Labour and more than 60 per cent saying they did not trust the Conservatives.

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