The shocking number of non-EU migrants who used the EU Settlement Scheme to move to Britain has been revealed by Facts4EU and GB News.
Almost 0.8 million non-EU nationals migrated to Britain under the EU’s scheme between April 2019 and September 2024, the equivalent to a city the size of Leeds- Britain’s third biggest city.
It means 12,307 non-EU migrants came to Britain every month through the scheme.
Of the 793,931 people, 714,080 were from non-EU countries while 76,913 were from the European Economic Area (EEA), European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Switzerland.
Applications from non-EU nationals for UK settlement
Facts4EU
Analysis of the data also revealed the staggering statistic that 176 non-EU countries used the EU Settlement Scheme.
India was the largest contributor with 116,395 citizens migrating to Britain through the scheme, followed by Pakistan with 96,771 and then Brazil with 80,778.
Norway, Ghana, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Switzerland and Ukraine rounded out the top ten.
Non-EU settlement applications to UK, by country
Facts4EU
There are two main ways people used the scheme to move to Britain. Firstly, if they had lived in the UK for five years they could apply for ‘Settled Status’.
If they hadn’t reached five years, they could apply for ‘Pre-Settled Status’, which can be upgraded once they hit the five-year mark.
Secondly, people could use the scheme by proving they have a connection to someone living in Britain, which includes spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, dependent children and grandchildren, dependant parents and grandparents, and children born or adopted after 31 December 2020.
The person living in Britain did not to be British or even from an EU country.
Which is why commentators have highlighted their surprise at nationals from countries like Vanuatu, North Korea, the Solomon Islands and even the Vatican City (population of 764) who used the EU Settlement Scheme.
It means at least one Ni-Vanuatu, Solomon Islander, North Korean and Vatican citizen was either living in Britain or had a connection to someone living here when they migrated to the UK.
More than 35,000 small boat migrants crossed the Channel illegally last yearPAIt comes as Britain remains locked in a national debate about immigration.
Critics say it is placing unprecedented strain on the NHS, schools, roads and other public services while proponents argue migrants make up large proportions of the key workforces like the NHS.
In January, the ONS released staggering population projections for Britain, which included the fact that our population will reach 72.5million by 2032- a rise of 5million- fuelled entirely by migration and not by births outstripping deaths.
That would see the UK’s population outstrip France’s for the first time since 1997, according to Eurostat’s projection for the French population.
The data shows a growth rate of 7.3 per cent, marginally higher than the 6.1 per cent growth in the previous decade.
Reacting, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: “We’re going to publish a white paper to set out a comprehensive plan to end these staggeringly high migration numbers.
“As the prime minister has previously said, we had a supposed cap in place before and it didn’t have any meaningful impact on reducing immigration.
“So he doesn’t think that setting an arbitrary cap, as previous governments have done, is the best way forward in terms of significantly reducing migration.”
LATEST FROM MEMBERSHIP:
Population growth plotted with Prime MinistersFacts4EUThe Prime Minister is in a difficult situation on immigration. Public polling reveals the nation backs tighter controls, but Starmer is also under pressure from those on the left of his party who demand Britain softens its approach.
A group of more than 900 Labour members and trade unionists, including MPs and peers, said Starmer’s government was copying the ‘performative cruelty’ of the Conservatives’ asylum policy.
Rishi Sunak’s scheme to deport people who entered the country illegally to Rwanda was scrapped by Starmer immediately who said it was a 'gimmick' and promised to ‘smash the gangs’ instead.
However, small boat crossings in the Channel remain at near-record levels and Starmer has only just hired someone to head up the immigration crackdown.
Labour did release footage of a crackdown on migrants working illegally in Britain recently, which included migrants boarding a plane with their hands behind their backs.
The footage again highlighted Starmer's impossible position as some criticised the move as far too little while other said it went too far and was disrespectful.
Home Office Minister Dame Angela was asked if the footage aligned with Sir Keir Starmer's previous commitment to creating an immigration system ‘based on compassion and dignity’, for example.
Eagle replied: "I don't believe for one minute that enforcing the law and ensuring that people who break the law face the consequences of doing that, up to and including deportation, arrest, is not compassionate.”
The Home Office has been approached for comment.
