Britain's population will soar above 80 million by 2046 if the current level of net migration continues, report finds
Immigration could send Britain's population soaring beyond 80million by 2046, according to a report yesterday.
The study by Migration Watch UK, which campaigns for tougher border controls, said the current level of net migration – if sustained – would add between 16million and 20million to the population over the next 23 years.
It would mean building 15 cities the size of Birmingham to provide enough housing, it suggested.
Migration Watch's figures are significantly higher than official forecasts from the Office for National Statistics. Latest ONS projections show the UK population hitting 71million in 2045.
Yesterday's report said: 'The UK population is now 67million but new Migration Watch UK projections estimate that it will increase to between 83 and 87million by 2046 if net migration continues at the record level of just over 600,000 per year… the UK will have to build between 15 and 18 more cities the size of Birmingham.'
Immigration could send Britain's population soaring beyond 80million by 2046, according to a report (Stock Photo)
Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch, said: 'The impact of runaway immigration is huge, and housing is just one aspect of our lives that is adversely affected.
'But, if net migration were reduced to 100,000 per year or less, the pressure would lift – at a stroke. Young people would have better prospects of getting on to the housing ladder. And more of our beautiful countryside would be saved for future generations.'
Other experts say it is unlikely that immigration will continue at such a high level as last year.
Migration Watch has launched a petition to cut annual net migration – the difference between those immigrating and those emigrating – to below 100,000.
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