Migration Watch chairman Alp Mehmet has argued the UK cannot cope with the current high levels of net migration. Speaking to TalkTV presenter Kevin O'Sullivan, Alp explained that net migration is calculated by taking the number of people who arrive and subtracting those who leave. He noted that for the year leading up to mid-2025, this resulted in a net increase of 222,000 people.
Gross inflow exceeds 800,000 annually
He went on to highlight that while the net figure is significant, the total gross inflow of people is much higher, exceeding 800,000 annually. Alp explained that only 14% of those 800,000+ arrivals entered with a work permit, while the remaining 86% arrive via other routes, such as student visas.
A stunned Kevin declared the country is full, prompting Alp to claim the UK has a "noose around our necks" that is being pulled tighter. He continued: "No one is suggesting no immigration. That would be absurd. We've got to have a certain amount of immigration."
Population growth pressures
"But what we don't need are hundreds of thousands of people who are more dependent on the state than they contribute to it. That is madness," Alp added. Kevin argued that the gross number needs to be brought down as the country is "bursting at the seams".
"Well, it is bursting at the seam," Alp agreed. "We're not far short of 70 million at the moment. The growth in our population has been phenomenal over the last 20 years. We've had millions of people added to the population. Something like eight million between 2001 and 2021. Of those eight million, nearly seven million were the result of immigration and their children. We can't cope with this sort of number."
Pressure on housing and public services
Alp discussed the pressures immigration places on housing and other public services, noting that the country must find a roof for the 800,000 people arriving annually. He said: "Those who come in, you've got to find a roof over their heads. You've got to keep them warm. You've got to keep them fit and well. You've got to give them access to the NHS and to their GP surgery. There are so many things that just don't stop with people arriving and working."
Kevin added: "This is insane. Allowing that many people in with the knowledge that many of them will stay is an exercise in madness."
