Net immigration to Britain has hit a record half a million people

The figures show that 504,000 more people moved to the UK than left it in the period June 2021 - June 2022. In comparison, net immigration for the previous 12 months was 173,000.

The information was released by the Office for National Statistics, which said the rise was driven by specific factors, including visa schemes for citizens of Ukraine and Hong Kong, as well as students arriving from non-EU countries.

People with student visas make up the largest share of long-term non-EU immigrants in Britain - 277,000, or 39 percent, according to statistics.

The British Prime Minister's spokesman confirmed his desire to reduce the level of immigration and blamed "unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances" for the record increase.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman says record UK immigration numbers are ‘understandable’ thanks to 'generosity of British people'.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt assured last week that immigration was needed to boost economic growth. "We are aware that we will need immigration for years to come - it will be very important for our economy," he said.