In the five years from July 2010, the ONS estimated that just under a million EU nationals moved to Britain. But during the same period, the Government gave arrivals from the EU more than 2.2 million National Insurance numbers. In four of the last five years, the gap between the two figures has widened.
Working out the reason for dry statistical discrepancies might normally be the preserve of academics. But this time it could have significant political consequences: the ONS is due to publish a study explaining the difference – together with fresh estimates of short-term migration– on Thursday, a little over a month before the EU referendum in which immigration has become a crucial battleground.
Working out the reason for dry statistical discrepancies might normally be the preserve of academics. But this time it could have significant political consequences: the ONS is due to publish a study explaining the difference – together with fresh estimates of short-term migration– on Thursday, a little over a month before the EU referendum in which immigration has become a crucial battleground.
The missing million: Are we undercounting Britain's immigrants?
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