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The number of Eastern European migrants coming to work in the UK has fallen to its lowest level since accession, according to statistics published by the Home Office today.

Analysts believe that the low figures can be attributed to the slowing economy and rising costs of living in the UK.

The figures show that between April and June 2008 there were 40,000 applications to the Worker Registration Scheme from nationals of the eight countries that joined the EU in 2004 - that's the lowest level since accession, a drop of 14,000 from the same period last year and a fall of 9,000 from the first three months of this year.

The number of Bulgarians and Romanians applying to work in the UK has also dropped to its lowest level since accession in January 2007 with only 7,005 applications for worker cards and registration certificates between April and June of this year, compared to 10,860 in the same period last year.

The immigrant invasion soon to be over

As the government announced people were now opting out of Britain they also went to great lengths today to emphasise how strict border controls would further stem immigration. 

The Australian style point system was cited as being the most effective weapon in the Governments anti immigrant armour (after a failing economy) as only useful immigrants would be let in. 

However even useful immigrants would be forced to carry ID's. In November the Government will begin the introduction of compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals, which will lock people down to one identity using the latest biometric technology.

Removals

In the first six months of 2008 32,230 people were removed from the UK, up six per cent from the first half of 2007. Within this figure the number of non-asylum removals increased - going from 23,195 to 26,275, a rise of 13 per cent.

Last year the Home Office removed a record 4,200 foreigner prisoners and this year is on track to meet its target to remove at least 5,000. In the first six months of this year over 2,500 foreign prisoners have been removed - a 23 per cent increase on the same period last year.

To speed up the removal process further still the Government announced in May that the immigration detention estate would increase its capacity by 60 per cent, with an additional 1,300 to 1,500 spaces for immigration offenders, within two years.

In 2007 the number of people applying for asylum fell to its lowest level since 1993 with 23,430 applications. Application levels remain historically low, between April and June this year 5,720 people applied for refuge, compared to 6,595 in the previous three months of 2008.