Net migration figures could surpass last year's historic high

The UK is bracing itself for the release of net migration figures, which are expected to exceed the record-breaking 606,000 seen last year. Downing Street is preparing for what some are calling "dire" border data, which will be published just a day after the Autumn Statement.

Possible increase to over 700,000 arrivals

Government officials are even speculating that the number of arrivals compared to departures from Britain in the year leading up to June 2023 could exceed 700,000. This potential new record would be a significant blow to Rishi Sunak, who is already facing criticism over his handling of illegal migration.

Pressure to delay release of figures

There were suggestions made to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to delay the publication of the provisional figures in order to avoid clashing with Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement. However, the ONS has confirmed that the figures will be released as scheduled on Thursday morning.

Potential factors contributing to the increase

The data, covering the second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023, is expected to include a significant number of Ukrainian refugees and a surge in visa applications this year. These factors are likely to contribute to the overall increase in net migration.

Concerns over the figures

A Whitehall source described the forthcoming figures as "dire," while another source emphasized that the numbers have been consistently going up. The release of these figures will shed light on the current state of migration in the UK and may further fuel the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies.