13:03

The number of EU workers in the UK fell by 61,000 at a time when the employment rate for British and non-EU workers has soared, according to new official figures which have been seized on by figures from opposing sides of the Brexit divide.



There was an estimated 2.33 million workers from the European Union between October to December in 2017, but that figure dropped to 2.27 million a year later. A notable drop in workers from eight eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 had largely accounted for the decrease.

This contrasted with an increase in the number of non-EU workers in the UK, jumping from 1.16 million to 1.29 million in the same time period. This was an increase of 130,000 compared with the equivalent period 12 months earlier, and the highest number the highest number since records started in 1997.

Rosie Duffield, Labour MP and a leading supporter of People’s Vote, said: “The uncertainty over Brexit means it is sadly no surprise that tens of thousands of EU nationals have left Britain over the past year, and that fewer people want to come here to contribute to our society and our economy. Brexit is already damaging our NHS, our universities and industry and means less money for public services.



Overall, The number of people in work in the UK reached a record 32.6 million.



Emma Barr, Head of Communications at the right-leaning Centre for Policy Studies said: “These figures are extremely reassuring. Even as we prepare to leave the EU, the British economy - and British business - is still creating jobs at an enviable rate, with record levels of people in work thanks to our flexible labour market.”