More than 500,000 new migrants in England since 2011

England’s immigration laws have led to more than half a million people moving to the country since 2011, according to analysts.

The University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory forecast that 565,000 foreign-born people arrived in England between the years of 2011 and 2014, representing a rise of eight per cent. Sixty-two per cent were from EU countries.

The group also researched the areas where most new migrants lived. The north-east recording the biggest proportional increase with 26,000 new arrivals, a rise of 20 per cent, during the period. Eighty-five per cent of these were from EU state.

The largest numerical increase was, as expected, in London, where despite a rise of only six per cent, a total of 189,000 foreign-born people moved there, with 85 per cent being from EU states.

Migration Observatory director Madeleine Sumption said the data revealed the different experiences in locations across England, noting that there were large variations in their migrant populations. She added that the analysis would help anyone looking for a better understanding of local migration demographics prior to the general elections.