Watch the moment Tory MP Andrew Rosindell furiously confronts Sir Keir Starmer over Office for National Statistics (ONS) projections suggesting the population is set to rise exponentially in the coming years.
In a frosty PMQs session, Rosindell capitalised on his chance to ask the prime minister a question by pointing to “unsustainable” figures.
But Starmer had no time for the MP’s remarks, saying his ire should be directed towards the leader of his own party.
“The prime minister should know that my constituents in Romford are shocked, angry and dismayed by the suggestion by the ONS that the population of this country will rise to 72.5 million by 2032”, said Rosindell.
Rosindell locked horns with Sir Keir Starmer
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“Mr Speaker, that’s 500,000 a year which is unsustainable. Who voted for that? And will the Government do something to ensure that the population of this country is sustainable going forward?
“There is no mandate for that.”
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The clash came during a heated PMQs session
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Starmer hit back: “I think he should talk to his leader. Net migration went through the roof under the last government, nearly one million.
“Who was cheering it on? The leader of the Opposition. His constituents are right to be concerned about the loss of control by the last government.
“We’re taking control. We will bring these numbers down. The record is absolutely clear and it sits right there.”
Rosindell could be seen appearing to repeatedly ask the question ‘what are you going to do about it?’
Figures suggested the UK population could reach 72.5 million by mid-2032 because of net migration.
The ONS projects a rise driven almost entirely by net migration, with the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country estimated to total 4.9 million over the 10-year period.
This is compared with the natural change in population - the difference between births and deaths - which is projected to be “around zero”.
The data, published on Tuesday, says the level of net migration will average 340,000 a year from mid-2028 onwards, lower than current levels.
