UK: Net migration to the UK reached a record high of almost 504,000 in the year ending June 2022, as a result of an increase in non-EU citizens, according to official figures released on Thursday.

According to the Office for National Statistics, factors contributing to the increase include a return to travel following COVID-19 and an increase in the number of international students studying remotely during the pandemic.

A total of 1.1 million long-term immigrants are projected to arrive by June, an increase of 435,000 from last year. EU citizens made up the largest proportion of those leaving the UK.

Also Read: Anwar Ibrahim will be the new PM of Malaysia, how will it be for India?

According to the ONS, three new visa programs for war refugees from Ukraine, Afghans seeking resettlement and British citizens from Hong Kong resulted in an increase in the number of arrivals by around 186,000.

In the 12 months to June 2022, several global events have had an impact on international migration patterns. Taken as a whole, these were unprecedented, according to Jay Lindop, director of the ONS Center for International Migration.

Migration levels have once again made headlines in the UK in recent weeks, as some business leaders urged the government to liberalize immigration to support growth. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dismissed it on Monday, stressing the need to address illegal immigration instead.

Also Read: 'Mahsa Amini was not killed...', says Iranian minister on anti-hijab protests

The government has faced criticism for conditions at an overcrowded processing center in southern England and a firebomb attack at a similar site nearby. Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman are also under pressure to do more to stop illegal migrants making the dangerous journey across the Channel.

Earlier this month Britain and France signed a deal to step up efforts to stop migrants crossing the Channel.

According to figures made public by the government on Thursday, 33,029 people were found crossing the English Channel in small boats between January and September this year, with 61% of those arrivals during the summer from July to September.

Also Read: Asim Munir was a 2-star 4 years ago, now will be Pakistan's new Army chief

As per the report, August saw the smallest number of boat arrivals of any month during the period covered by the data.