Increase in exodus of immigrants from UK

The Government has responded to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which shows that more and more immigrants to the United Kingdom are staying for a short time and then leaving. The outflow in the last couple of years is close to 400,000, the report says.

The report, ‘Shall We Stay Or Shall We Go‘ found that more than three million immigrants to the United Kingdom in the last 30 years – around half the total – have subsequently left. And the extent of the ‘exodus’ seems to be increasing, with more than 190,000 leaving in 2007 – a number that was probably exceeded last year.

Short-stay migration is a growing phenomenon, according to the report – the number of immigrants spending less than four years in the United Kingdom doubled between 1996 and 2007. And 85 percent of migrants currently in the United Kingdom who took part in an online survey said they were only planning to stay for a short time.

Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: “This report…demonstrates that migrants come to the UK for a short period of time, work, contribute to the economy and then return home. Our new flexible points-based system gives us greater control on those coming to work or study from outside Europe, ensuring that only those that Britain need can come.”

“This week I announced proposals which will break the link between temporary settlement and permanent residence. Only those that who earn the right to stay should be allowed a British passport.”

The report further points to research in five countries which has shown that migrants tend to come to the United Kingdom for economic reasons, but leave for personal reasons. The migrants who are most likely to leave are those with high skills, good education and low barriers to movement.

UK Borders Agency/ Expatica

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