The Briefing Room

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David Aaronovitch presents in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news.

David Aaronovitch and a panel of experts and insiders present in-depth explainers on big issues in the news

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The Briefing Room: Net migration: What’s happening in the UK?

Net migration: What’s happening in the UK?

BBC Radio 4 - The Briefing Room, Net migration: What’s happening in the UK?

As UK net migration hits a record high, what's going on behind the numbers?

Recently revised figures for net migration in 2022 were the highest on record and far higher than originally thought, so who is coming to the UK?

UK net migration hit a record 745,000 in 2022 according to recently revised figures from the Office for National Statistics.

That means the numbers coming to live in the UK were almost three quarters of a million more than those leaving.

Reducing the numbers of people entering the country has long been a government priority with famous promises to reduce it to “tens of thousands”. In a post-Brexit era it had been assumed that the figures would naturally decline, but that hasn’t been the case. 

David Aaronovitch invites you into his briefing room to discover what these numbers mean for the UK.

He’s joined by:
Jay Lindop, Director, Office for National Statistics, Centre for International Migration 
Heather Rolfe, Director of Research and Relationships at the think tank British Future. 
Madeline Sumption, Director of Migration Observatory, University of Oxford

Production: Sally Abrahams, Kirsteen Knight, Alex Lewis
Production Co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson + Sophie Hill
Sound: Neil Churchill
Editor: Richard Vadon

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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