And guess where most of 'em come from! Will this country ever learn?
MORE than 1,500 immigrants a DAY settled in Britain last year.
About 565,000 came here to live — 1,548 a day — official figures show.
But 380,000 people — 1,041 a day — left, leaving an increase in population of around 500 a day, the Office for National Statistics revealed.
Among those who quit these shores were 198,000 Britons heading for new lives in Australia, Spain and France.
The yearly net population growth of 185,000 — the population of a town the size of Luton — is the second highest on record.
Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green said: “This puts a strain on house-building, schools and local services.”
Sir Andrew Green, of Migration Watch, said the flood is altering the social make-up of Britain.
From 1996 to 2005 there has been a net loss of 660,000 Britons, against a gain of two million foreigners.
Two-thirds of all Britons are desperate to retire overseas.
Sir Andrew added: “We face the largest wave of immigration in history. Do not underestimate the challenge of integrating half a million foreigners.”
The net inflow of those intending to stay for a year was 17,000 lower than 2004’s record figures.
But the ONS said the “overall trend of high immigration that began in the 1990s” continued.
Most arrived from the “new Commonwealth” and EU.
Around 121,000 came from countries mainly in Asia — such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Others arrived from Africa and the West Indies.
Another 145,000 arrived from the EU, including 80,000 from eight former Eastern-bloc states.
An estimated 49,000 were Poles, the ONS found.
Most come to work or study, with others claiming asylum or having married a Briton.
Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: “Migrant workers make a vital contribution to the economy. Many are coming to take posts in important industries benefiting the UK.”
BRITAIN faces a crisis in deadly lung disease tuberculosis, the Health Protection Agency warned last night.
Cases rose nearly 11 per cent to 8,113 in 2005, mainly in immigrants born in Africa or Asia.
Experts fear deadlier forms of TB could be carried here by immigrants from Turkey or new EU state Romania.
