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News Desk New figures released by the Office of National Statistics has shown that net migration to the United Kingdom has fallen to its lowest levels in ten years, to 153,000 in 2012 compared to 255,000 in 2010. The Government is claiming the drop in numbers is a sign that the abuse to the visa system is being dealt with, but at the same time still allows the "brightest and best migrants" to come to the UK. Speaking to the Financial Times Mark Harper the Governments’ Immigration Minister said: "We have made substantial inroads in cutting immigration and now have a more selective system that works in our national interest." The biggest drops in immigration are from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Kenya and Malawi. However the Government is facing an avalanche of criticism on eastern European immigrants from existing European Union member states like Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary where over 50,000 are expected to arrive in the UK in 2014 when quote numbers are restricted. To combat this influx to the UK the Government is considering “biometric residence permits” which show their entitlement to use public services. The cards would store data, including a carrier’s fingerprints and facial image. MigrationWatch have claimed that 50,000 Romanians and Bulgarians are set to flock to the UK after January 1 when current restrictions are lifted.
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