Immigration Boom Sees Population Surge by 610,000 as Farage Criticizes 'Mind-Blowing Numbers'

Record Increase in Population

Immigration in England and Wales led to a population surge of nearly 610,000 last year, marking the largest annual increase since 1948. The influx of arrivals has pushed the total population to 60.9 million, sparking calls for stricter border controls to alleviate pressure on public services.

Nigel Farage's Reaction

Nigel Farage described the numbers as "mind-blowing" in response to the new official statistics released, showing 1.84 million people arriving in the country between 2022-23, while only 462,000 left.

Concerns Over Population Crisis

Robert Bates, research director at the Centre for Migration Control, expressed concerns, stating that Britain is "hurtling towards a population crisis" with issues such as a strained housing market, oversubscribed healthcare services, and overcrowded classrooms.

Political Response and Regional Trends

The surge in population growth has prompted calls for action from politicians, with Sir Keir Starmer pledging to reduce net migration levels. Areas with the highest rates of population growth include London, Cardiff, and Preston, with Middlesbrough having the highest proportion of international immigrants.