More EU citizens leave Britain, fewer arrive as Brexit impacts on migration figures

LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Net migration into Britain fell to 230,000 in June, over 100,000 less than a peak of 336,000 a year earlier, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported Thursday.

The figures take in the first full year since Britain voted in June, 2016 to leave the European Union, with the reduction of 106,000, the largest annual decrease recorded by ONS.

ONS said the Brexit decision was likely to be the factor in a 43 percent fall in the number of Europeans heading to Britain during the year to find work.

At the same time, 123,000 EU citizens left Britain during the year, up 28,000 compared to 2016, added ONS.

During the year, a total of 572,000 people arrived in Britain and 342,000 emigrated, giving the new net migration figure.

Nicola White, head of migration statistics at ONS, said the first full year of data since the EU referendum vote in 2016 shows a decrease in the number of people coming to live in Britain and an increase in the number leaving, resulting in a fall in net migration of 106,000. Over three quarters of the fall in net migration was accounted for by EU citizens.

"Overall more people are still coming to live in the UK than are leaving and therefore net migration is adding to the UK population," White said, "The decline follows historically high levels of immigration and it is too early to say whether this represents a long-term trend."

ONS noted that the number of people immigrating for a definite job has remained stable but there has been a 43 percent decrease in the number of people immigrating to look for work over the last year, especially for EU citizens.

"These changes suggest that Brexit is likely to be a factor in people's decision to move to or from the UK -- but decisions to migrate are complex and other factors are also going to be influencing the figures,"said White. Enditem