Overview

• England and Wales’ population climbed by 706,881 in the year to mid-2024, marking the second-largest annual rise since World War II.
• Net international migration fuelled 98 percent of that growth and was positive in 317 out of 318 local authorities, with South Holland the only area to record net emigration.
• Local maps show Newham leading hotspots with 4.6 percent of its population arriving last year, followed by Luton at 4.3 percent and Coventry at 4.2 percent.
• Analysts warn that record migrant inflows are intensifying pressure on housing, schools, the NHS and other public services in growth areas.
• White Paper reforms tighten visa thresholds, extend the residency requirement for citizenship from five to ten years and enforce a one-for-one migrant swap with France to curb annual inflows.