Government Still Burying the Bad News on Immigration and Housing


November 26, 2010

New immigrants will add about 2 million households by 2033

The government’s household projections for the 25 years from 2008, published today by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), continue to play down the impact of immigration on housing.

The document’s list of key points informs us that "Population growth is the main driver of household growth, accounting for nearly three quarters of the increase in households between 2008 - 2033". It fails to mention that more than 2/3rds of that projected population increase is, itself, due to immigration.

Buried on page 9 of the document is the admission that, if there was no migration in any direction (a theoretical concept), there would be 2.1 million fewer households in 2033 compared to the principal projection, or 83,000 a year on average over that period. The paper continues "Therefore 64% of the average annual increase occurs under the zero migration variant…"

Put another way, 36% of household formation is, broadly speaking, a result of immigration. This compares with 39% in the previous 2006 based household projections.

Commenting Sir Andrew Green Chairman Migrationwatch UK said, "It is inexcusable for this government to paper over the huge impact of continued massive levels of immigration on housing. If immigration is allowed to continue at present levels it will account for just over one third of new households in the next 25 years. The first response to the housing crisis should be to face the facts. The last government was in denial. That cannot be allowed to continue".

Notes to Editors:
The 2008 based household projections are at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1780763.pdf

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