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COUNT THEM OUT

Controlling post-Brexit immigration will be impossible if Government keeps ‘woefully inadequate’ system of counting people in and out, warns report

Peers found current data doesn't provide accurate picture of how many migrants enter or leave each year

CONTROLLING post-Brexit immigration will be almost impossible if the Government continues to rely on its “woefully inadequate” system of counting people in and out, a damning report is warning today.

The House of Lords Economic Affairs committee found current data does not provide an accurate picture of how many migrants enter or leave the country each year, or how long they stay.

 Report warns Government must ditch 'woefully inadequate' system of counting people in and out
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Report warns Government must ditch 'woefully inadequate' system of counting people in and outCredit: PA

Peers are calling for a major overhaul of migration data and the way statistics are collected or ministers will be making immigration policy “in the dark” after we exit the EU.

It also criticises the Government’s target to reduce numbers to below 100,000 - claiming that it will cause disruption to business and the economy.

Committee chair Lord Forsyth of Drumlean warns: “The Government must have reliable statistics on migration before it formulates new policy, otherwise it will be making crucial decisions - of vital importance to the country’s businesses - in the dark.

“It will take companies time to adapt their business models to be less dependent on EU workers and an implementation period is essential to ensure a smooth transition.”

The Lords report also called for the Government to no longer include students in any short-term net migration figures - an issue that has caused major splits within the Cabinet.

Peers said the current data system cannot accurately state how many foreign students remain after their courses end, and the Government instead needed to address this problem.

 Lord Forsyth said if it doesn't then it will be making crucial decisions 'in the dark'
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Lord Forsyth said if it doesn't then it will be making crucial decisions 'in the dark'Credit: BBC

Lord Forsyth also said reduced immigration may lead to higher prices.

He said: "Businesses will have to accept that immigration from the European Union is going to reduce and adapt accordingly. Some firms will need to raise wages to attract domestic workers.

"In other sectors, where migrant workers may not easily be replaced by domestic workers, firms will need to change their business models or increase capital investment in automated processes.

“All these options may lead to higher prices for consumers.”

But Lord Green from the Migration Watch think tank said it would be “absurd” to remove students from the net migration target because the UK has issued nearly 200,000 grants to foreign students to settle in the UK in recent years.

He said: “Graduates are no doubt valuable to our economy but, with immigration driving our population at the fastest annual rate for nearly 70 years, we must have an honest assessment of the contribution of students who stay on.”

 Lords report also called for the Government to no longer include students in any short-term net migration figures
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Lords report also called for the Government to no longer include students in any short-term net migration figuresCredit: PA

In response to the report a Government spokesman said: "We are collaborating with the Office for National Statistics to develop a system which provides a richer statistical picture of EU nationals in the UK.

"The Government is also working to develop a future immigration system which acts in the country's best interests and we will ensure businesses and communities are given the opportunity to contribute their views.

"In addition, the Home Secretary has made clear the Government will ask the Migration Advisory Committee to provide evidence on EU migration precisely because we want strong evidence on which to base these important decisions."