Official projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that the UK population could rise from 67 million in mid-2021 to nearly 74 million by 2036, driven primarily by net migration adding 6.1 million people. The figures, based on current trends, have sparked alarm among Conservative politicians and Nigel Farage, who urge Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take action on what they describe as unsustainable inflows.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman called for an overall cap on migration, while ex-immigration minister Robert Jenner stated there is 'no democratic consent for this outcome' and that the pace of change is too fast. Nigel Farage warned that the 'population crisis is rapidly getting worse and damaging the quality of life for everyone.'
The projections also highlight demographic challenges, with the number of people aged over 85 expected to rise from 1.6 million to 2.6 million by 2036. The government has announced a series of immigration restrictions to take effect from March, including a ban on overseas care workers bringing dependants and a higher salary threshold for skilled workers, aiming to cut net migration by 300,000 annually.
However, critics note that the changes may not fully materialise before the next election, and some measures risk being diluted. The ONS caveats that the projections are not predictions and could decrease if the government successfully curbs net migration.
