Human rights lawyer David Haigh has cast doubt on official migration figures in the UK, suggesting the actual numbers could be “considerably more” than reported.
Speaking to GB News, Haigh criticised both Oxford University and the Home Office for their methods of counting migrants, stating they are “clueless” about the true extent of immigration.
“I think the Oxford University is as clueless as the Home Office when it comes to counting migrants,” Haigh said.
“There simply is no effective way for us to know who is in the country and who isn’t.”
David Haigh said that the numbers of migrants are “considerably more” than reported
GB News
His comments come as recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data estimated net migration to the UK reached a peak of 764,000 in 2022, up from 184,000 in 2019.
Haigh expressed scepticism about the accuracy of migration statistics, suggesting that the actual numbers could be significantly higher than reported.
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He emphasised the lack of effective tracking mechanisms, stating, “We simply don’t know who’s here. So how can they come to that number? I would imagine it’s considerably more.”
The lawyer’s comments challenge the ONS projections, which assume net migration will fall to 315,000 per year.
This assumption has been adopted by the Office of Budget Responsibility in its economic forecasts.
Haigh’s concerns extend beyond illegal migration, highlighting a broader issue of tracking individuals in the country.
He pointed out the difficulty in monitoring those on expired visas, particularly students.
“When those student visas expire, we don’t know for sure if those students have gone back to their country or stayed here illegally,” Haigh explained.
Haigh emphasised that the issue extends beyond illegal migration.
“Just because someone’s an illegal migrant or asylum seeker doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a bad person,” he noted. However, he stressed the importance of accurate tracking.
David Haigh shared the importance of tracking migrants
GB News
“We have no clue who’s here and who isn’t. So it’s a wider issue, I think, than just actual people coming across illegally,” Haigh said.
The lawyer highlighted the lack of effective mechanisms to monitor individuals on expired visas. He cited the example of student visas, stating that up until March, nearly half a million were issued.
“When those student visas expire, we don’t know for sure if those students have gone back to their country or stayed here illegally,” Haigh explained.
This uncertainty, he argued, underscores the broader challenge of monitoring the UK’s migrant population.
