UK net migration rises to 237,000

New figures reveal higher levels of net immigration

Net immigration to the UK increased to 237,000 in 2007, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That is 46,000 more than in 2006 - as a result of emigration falling more than immigration.

But the figures also show the number of people registering for work in the UK from eastern European countries such as Poland and Latvia declined.

There were 21,000 fewer applications for work between July and September, compared with the same period in 2006.

According to the figures, an estimated 340,000 people left the UK for twelve months or more in 2007, down from 400,000 in 2006.

The estimated number of people arriving to live in the UK for twelve months or more was 577,000 in 2007, compared with 591,000 in 2006.