Boost for PM on migration as influx falls by one third

Net annual migration to Britain has plunged by a third, in a sign that David Cameron could hit his target of cutting immigration to the tens of thousands by the next election.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 163,000 more people came to this country than departed in the year ending last June. This is 84,000 fewer than the 247,000 net influx over the previous 12 months.

The main reasons were a sharp fall in student arrivals and immigrants from “New Commonwealth” countries such as Pakistan and India. There were also fewer arrivals from Poland and other east European countries.

Immigration minister Mark Harper welcomed the figures and said they were the result of “tough reforms” in areas “where abuse was rife”.

In the year to last June, the net inflow of non-Britons was 242,000, down 60,000 on a year earlier. At the same time, there was a net exodus of 79,000 British citizens.

The number of visas issued to Chinese citizens was up by 10 per cent.