Net migration to Britannia It reached a record 606,000 last year, according to official estimates released today, adding to pressure on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has vowed to cut it.

The increase was mainly due to citizens of non-EU countries, including refugees under the UK government’s visa programs for Ukrainians, as well as those who migrate to work and study, according to the Office of Statistics.

According to the data, the total number of arrivals in 2022 was about 1.16 million people, and 557,000 people left the country. The ONS reported that 925,000 people who arrived in 2022 were from outside the EU, 151,000 came from the EU. and 88,000 were British citizens.

According to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunaknumbers they are tallwithout recognizing, however, that immigration out of control, and Labor Home Secretary Yvette Cooper claims the government “does not control immigration”.

Sunak also vowed to crack down on illegal immigration following the arrival of tens of thousands of people who have crossed the English Channel in small boats from mainland Europe in recent years.

A reduction in net immigration was promised in the ruling Conservative Party’s 2019 election manifesto, when the figure was 226,000. Previous data for November showed a net migration of 504,000 in the year to June.