Immigration is fuelling the biggest rise in Britain’s population for almost 50 years, official figures show.
Within a decade, there will be 65 million people in the UK – an increase of five million.
By 2028, the population will be over 70 million and reach 71 million by 2031, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) predicted.
This is the fastest growth rate since the post-war baby boom.
But unlike in the 1950s and 1960s, the main cause of the rise is immigration.
Foreign settlers are adding to the population and, because they are younger, are pushing up the fertility rate.
Statisticians said immigration would be responsible for at least 70 per cent of the rise in population over the next 20 years.
The rest will be babies born to British mothers – many of whom are second generation immigrants.
The population will also grow because people are living longer, researchers said.
Officials said the combination of high immigration, rising fertility and better life expectancy was “unique” in the country’s history.
The ONS predicted England would grow the fastest with an increase of 8 per cent by 2016, compared to 7 per cent in Northern Ireland, 5 per cent in Wales, and just 3 per cent in Scotland.
The figures have huge implications for public policy.
Just three years ago, the ONS was projecting significantly slower growth rates.
This data was used to plan for housing, transport, health and education demand in the years to come.
But these issues will now have to be revisited by Whitehall departments.
The population in 2012 will be 1.7m higher than the Government thought it would be just three years ago.
The main reason is that officials underestimated the impact of immigration by one third.
Researchers have increased their migration estimates from a net increase of 145,000 or more per year in 2004 to 190,000 or more each year.
The new figures – released on the same day the European Commission announced plans for a blue card scheme to boost Europe’s share of highly-skilled immigrant workers – will fuel the debate over Labour’s policy on immigration controls.
The Conservative Party earlier this week renewed its call for a cap on the intake of migrant workers from outside the European Union.
“We can’t go on like this. Increasing the population gradually is one thing, but a headlong, unplanned rise is creating problems for public services and possible social tensions. This needs urgent action from the Government,” Damian Green, the shadow immigration minister, said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1567065/Rising-immigration-sees-UK-population-soar.html
August 29th, 2008 at 3:41 am
A review on our immigration policy needs to happen now but as we known that is only part of the problem.
We have question what the political masters actually want the UK to become one massive city with the mongrelised people having no national identity, heritage, history etc.
If should a monstrous thing did happen it would be such a horrendous crime.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
It is a fact that England is already dangerously overpopulated, however the same cannot be said of Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. The population of England is probably well over 70,000,000, whereas in Scotland it is less than a tenth of that with even less in Wales and Northern Ireland. London is already majority non white with cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, and Leicester not far behind. Also non whites are being actively encouraged by the British government to move into rural (formally white flight) areas.
In the future I envisage many white English families moving to the other parts of the UK, I am personally considering a move to Scotland as I type this. 50 plus years of corrupt and phony governments have taken their toll on England, it is all very sad.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Agreed Sid thank you for your comment
October 29th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Well written article.