Immigration soars to new record

More than 164,000 were granted citizenship last year – a new record, and more than four times the number in the year Labour came to power. [>

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Almost 1.2million foreigners have been told they can stay permanently since 1997, and now it is easier than ever to become British. [>

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During the same period, almost two million Britons have left the country, fed up with failing public services, rising crime and the spiralling tax and cost-of-living burden.[>

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AND NOW THERE COULD BE FRESH FUEL PROTESTS TOO...

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Now one in eight workers employed in this country was born overseas, according to the Home Office figures out yesterday. [>

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Shadow Immigration Minister Damian Green said: “Given the Government’s proven record at granting passports to people like Muktar Ibrahim Said – the July 21 ringleader – the public will be alarmed that they are being handed out at such a rate. How can they guarantee they are being granted to suitable people? This shows why it is essential our border controls are tightened.” [>

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Last year 164,635 people were approved for citizenship – seven per cent up on the year before, and equal to one every three minutes. [>

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It outstripped the previous peak of 161,700, which came in 2005 in a rush of applications before the citizenship test was introduced in November that year. [>

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But the refusal rate has dropped from 11 per cent in 2005 to 9 per cent last year – suggesting it is now easier to become British. Some 15,630 people were refused or withdrew applications, but only 16 per cent of those were turned down because they failed the Life In The UK citizenship test or language ability. Since Labour came to power, 1,197,640 people have been granted citizenship. [>

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Sir Andrew Green of Migrationwatch said: “Grants of citizenship have quadrupled under the present Government as a direct consequence of the massive levels of immigration they have encouraged.” [>

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Yesterday’s figures also revealed: [>

• A 16 per cent rise in asylum applications in the first three months of this year – to 6,595 – from last year; [>

• A 13 per cent fall in the number of failed asylum seekers deported – to 2,805 – for the same period; [>

• Britain had the most asylum applications in Europe in that time – 7,700 including dependants, which is 300 more than France in second place.  [>

• Foreign workers now make up 12.5 per cent of the workforce – 3.7million workers were born overseas compared with 1.9million in 1997. [>

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The Daily Express told in February how up to 250,000 people a year could be handed citizenship under Government’s plans supposedly to make them “earn” the right. [>

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Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: “Only those with something to give can become a British citizen, including a mastery of English. [>

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“This year we set in motion a huge shake-up of citizenship so newcomers have to earn their way by paying taxes, obeying the law and making an effort to integrate and paying a little extra towards public services.” [>

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Just three months ago Home Secretary Jacqui Smith revealed she wanted to give every immigrant looking to settle in the UK a passport. [>

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Afghan immigrants saw the largest increase last year, up 211 per cent on 2006 to 10,555, making them the third most common nationality last year. Indians accounted for the most approvals at 14,490, and Filipinos were second at  10,840. [>

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An estimated 400,000 people are quitting Britain every year. [>

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Just over half – 207,000 – are British citizens, the population movement figures for 2006 reveal. That year saw the highest number quitting since the current counting method was introduced in 1991. [>