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Autumn Budget: Chancellor increases energy windfall tax to raise extra £14bn
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Net migration to the UK has reached a record high, with an estimated 504,000 more people arriving into the UK than departing in the past year, new ONS estimates show.
In the year up to June 2022, the Office for National Statistics estimated that net migration of non-EU nationals to the UK was 509,000.
It is also the first time since 1991 that more EU nationals have left the UK than arrived. Net migration of EU nationals is minus 51,000 for the year up to June 2022, new estimates show.
Total immigration to the UK is at its highest level since ONS started recording the statistics in 1964 – with 1.1million people arriving in the past year.
Net migration is also at its highest level since records began. The last time net migration to the UK was this high was during the fall-out from the Syrian war in March 2015, when the figure was 331,000.
Key Points
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British support for immigration ‘high as it’s ever been,’ think tank says
Sunder Katwala, director of think tank British Future, said: “Despite these exceptionally high numbers, inflated by new arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong, our research finds public support for immigration as high as it’s ever been.
“Neither Rishi Sunak nor Keir Starmer plans to make significant cuts to immigration because of the social and economic benefits it brings to Britain.
“So political leaders should now be setting out a vision for how we make this work well for all of us in the UK, focusing on integration, citizenship and training up the UK workforce to fill skills gaps.
“Making vague promises to reduce numbers, without any plan or policy to make it happen, will only damage public trust.”
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 11:32
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Large increase in people arriving for ‘humanitarian protection,’ ONS says
Jay Lindop, ONS deputy director of the centre for international migration, said: “A series of world events have impacted international migration patterns in the 12 months to June 2022. Taken together these were unprecedented.
“These include the end of lockdown restrictions in the UK, the first full period following transition from the EU, the war in Ukraine, the resettlement of Afghans and the new visa route for Hong Kong British nationals, which have all contributed to the record levels of long-term immigration we have seen.
“Migration from non-EU countries, specifically students, is driving this rise. With the lifting of travel restrictions in 2021, more students arrived in the UK after studying remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, there has also been a large increase in the number of people migrating for a range of other reasons. This includes people arriving for humanitarian protection, such as those coming from Ukraine, as well as for family reasons.
“The many factors independent of each other contributing to migration at this time mean it is too early to say whether this picture will be sustained.”
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 11:12
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NEW: Net migration to the UK reaches record high of half a million, ONS estimates show
Net migration to the UK has reached a record high, with an estimated 504,000 more people arriving into the UK than departing in the past year, new ONS estimates show.
It is also the first time since 1991 that more EU nationals have left the UK than arrived. Net migration of EU nationals is minus 51,000 for the year up to June 2022, new estimates show.
Total immigration to the UK is at its highest level since ONS started recording the statistics in 1964 – with 1.1million people arriving in the past year.
Read the full story below from our reporter, Holly Bancroft:
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 10:47
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Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said the price cap is likely to remain high from April, at a little over £3,900 for the average household.
It means the government could end up paying around £42 bn over the 18 months it has promised to support households with their energy bills, despite the support becoming less generous from April.
Principal consultant Craig Lowrey said: “This highlights the nature of the wholesale market risk that the government is taking on by deciding to extend the EPG for longer than the March 2023 date announced by the chancellor in October, with the consequence that the full costs may be potentially higher than currently budgeted for.
“Extending the EPG, even at an elevated level, has resulted in the government being exposed to variables and factors over which they crucially have no control. The risk is reduced by changing the level of support but remains acute.
“With Cornwall Insight predicting energy prices will remain above historic levels for many years to come, one thing is clear: more targeted support for the most vulnerable is likely to be needed on an enduring basis if the Government wants to protect consumers while also stabilising its finances.”
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 10:30
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B&Q sales boosted by sales of energy efficiency products
B&Q parent firm Kingfisher has revealed that sales of loft insulation materials have more than doubled as customers seeking to improve energy efficiency in their homes helped to boost the retail group.
The company, which also owns Screwfix, recorded higher revenues over the past quarter as the DIY market also benefited from the continued shift towards home working.
Chief executive Thierry Garnier said: “While the market backdrop remains challenging, DIY sales continue to be supported by new industry trends such as more working from home and a clear step-up in customer investment in energy saving and efficiency.”
B&Q reported that sales of loft insulation roll increased by 108 per cent for the three months to 31 October, compared with the same period last year, as customers sought to offset rocketing energy prices.
(PA Wire)
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 10:00
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Government energy saving advice ‘not nannying,’ Gove says
A public information campaign to encourage people to save energy will not be “nannying or patronising”, a senior minister said.
The scheme could show households how to knock up to £420 off their bills, while at the same time delivering potentially huge savings for taxpayers by reducing the cost of the energy price guarantee.
Levelling Up secretary Michael Gove said the government would be pointing people towards “authoritative sources of advice” on managing energy usage.
The Times reported that ministers are preparing a £25 million public information campaign including advice such as switching off radiators in empty rooms and taking showers instead of baths.
Officials have identified eight changes to save up to £420 a year including reducing the flow temperature from boilers, switching electrical devices off rather than leaving them on standby and changing from baths to showers.
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 09:40
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Housing secretary in talks with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing
Housing secretary Michael Gove said he would be holding talks with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, which owned the flat linked to Awaab Ishak’s death.
He told BBC Breakfast: “The chief executive after this tragic case has resigned, I’m going to Rochdale later today in order to talk to them and talk to others about the situation there. But my view at the moment is this organisation does not deserve to get this additional funding.”
Asked if the organisation should still be operating at all, he said: “I’m going to talk to them later today. I’ve had conversations already with the chair of the organisation and conversations with the outgoing chief executive and I want to see the situation on the ground.
“If the penny has dropped, if the organisation is ready to learn appropriate lessons to improve and there are signs they fully appreciate the need to improve, we will work with them, and indeed with Rochdale council, in order to make improvements.”
Awaab Ishak who died in December 2020 (Family handout/PA)
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 09:18
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Tens of thousands of homes ‘unsafe,’ Michael Gove says
Housing secretary Michael Gove said “at least” tens of thousands of homes are unsafe.
He told BBC Breakfast: “I fear it’s the case that there are tens of thousands of properties that are not in the state that they should be.”
Pressed if tens of thousands was correct, he said: “Yes, at least.
“We know there are a significant number of properties – some of which were built in the 60s and 70s and are in poor conditions, but some of which have been poorly maintained – that simply need to be properly repaired and properly maintained.”
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 08:50
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Negotiations ‘key’ to resolve rail strikes, Michael Gove urges
Levelling-Up secretary Michael Gove stressed that negotiations are key to avert strikes after transport secretary Mark Harper said he would not negotiate with the rail union boss.
Mr Gove told TalkTV: “The way to resolve some of these disputes is through talking, through negotiation, through listening.
“And it will be the case the transport secretary, my friend Mark Harper, will be meeting Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the RMT, later today to talk about this.
“I hope the two of them and others can hep set the framework so the people who are actually the key negotiators, the railway bosses, can find a way through with Mr Lynch.”
Thomas Kingsley24 November 2022 08:35
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There must be no ‘whitewash’ in Raab bullying probe, Angela Rayner says
Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: “There must be no hint of a whitewash when it comes to the slew of serious allegations the deputy prime Minister now faces.
“The scope of this investigation must immediately be expanded to enable proactive investigation of Dominic Raab‘s behaviour during his time as a minister, including so-called expressions of concern, informal complaints and the concerning testimony of his own former permanent secretary.
“This Conservative government has a troubling track record of brushing serious misconduct under the carpet. Their refusal to act on findings against Priti Patel previously led their former ethics chief to quit in disgust.
“A temporary stop-gap investigator, appointed in a panic, with an absurdly narrow remit is not a solution to dealing with the flood of allegations of ministerial misconduct now requiring investigation.”
