Migration Watch UK estimates that about 3.1 million migrants arrived and a further 2.3 million were born in Britain between 2001 and 2016

More than 80 per cent of population growth in the UK in recent years was down to immigration, according to a report published today.

Migration Watch UK, the lobby group, estimated that about 5.4 million of the total population increase of 6.6 million between 2001 and 2016 was the result of immigration, once births to new immigrants were included.

Net arrivals of migrants was 3.1 million, with the growth in migrants’ families accounting for a further 2.3 million, its report states.

Population estimates from the Office for National Statistics, the standard official measure, include the proportion of the annual growth caused by net international migration and natural change. They do not include an assessment of the proportion of natural change linked to immigration.

Migration Watch