Short term migrants largely account for National Insurance data discrepancy / Migration Statistics Quarterly Report

The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) published on the 12 May 2016 the findings of work carried out to explain the differences between the number of long term migrants entering the UK, measured by the International Passenger Survey (IPS), and the numbers of non-UK nationals registering for National Insurance Numbers (NINos).

The number of NINos being registered was higher than the number of people estimated as migrating to the UK by the IPS.

ONS said that National Insurance number registrations were not a good indicator of long term migration. The research showed that many people who registered for National Insurance stay in the UK for less than a year, which was the minimum stay for a long-term migrant according to the internationally-recognised definition.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Increase in net immigration is bad news for David Cameron http://www.europeansources.info/record/increase-in-net-immigration-is-bad-news-for-david-cameron/

BBC News, 12.05.16: NI numbers prompt row over 1.2m EU 'immigration gap' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36271390

The Guardian, 12.05.16: ONS analysis disproves 'missing million of migrants' accusations http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/12/ons-short-term-migration-explains-national-insurance-gap

Vote Leave: News, 12.05.16: Priti Patel: ‘The scale and impact of immigration from Europe is even higher than previously admitted. It is out of control - and cannot be controlled as long as we stay in the EU http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/priti_patel_the_scale_and_impact_of_immigration_from_europe_is_even_higher_than_previously_admitted

In Facts, 12.05.16: No 'missing million' EU migrants, rules ONS http://infacts.org/no-missing-million-eu-migrants-rules-ons/

ONS: News, 26.05.16: Migration Statistics Quarterly Report https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/news/migrationstatisticsquarterlyreport

In Facts, 26.05.16: Latest migration data give Brexiteers limited ammo http://infacts.org/latest-migration-data-give-brexiteers-limited-ammo/

Vote Leave: News, 26.05.16: Boris Johnson: The only way to take back control of immigration is to Vote Leave on 23 June http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/boris_johnson_the_only_way_to_take_back_control_of_immigration_is_to_vote_leave_on_23_june

BBC News, 26.05.16: Net migration to UK rises to 333,000 - second highest on record http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36382199

The Guardian, 26.05.16: Immigration could fall to almost zero if UK leaves EU, says David Davis http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/26/immigration-could-fall-to-almost-zero-if-uk-leaves-eu-says-david-davis

The Conversation, 27.05.16: Latest migration figures make no economic case for Brexit https://theconversation.com/latest-migration-figures-make-no-economic-case-for-brexit-60070

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