Immigration has kept the capital growing despite Brits, many born and bred in the bustling capital, moving out of the city and into the suburbs in their droves.

Figures released earlier this year show London grew by 1.8 million in the 10 years to 2007, taking into account migrants coming from abroad against those leaving the country.

But the metropolis lost the largest number of people through internal migration of any area in the UK.

A mass exodus saw two million (26% of the city’s 2007 population) leave the capital for other parts of Britain – with only 1.6 million moved to London from the regions. A net loss of 344,558 people.

However, London had by far the biggest level of net international migration of any city – almost 1.8 million more people moving there from abroad than leaving the capital to live outside the UK.

Over the decade, deaths in London and internal migration to other areas of the UK meant population actually rose by only 370,000. The South-East was the most popular region for people to move to from elsewhere in the UK, leading to a net increase of 550,889.

For more information on England’s capital and one of the great cities on the planet see London Line - http://www.londononline.co.uk/factfile/population/ and Visit London – http://www.visitlondon.com/  

London and the South East of England will continue to attract more migrants because it remains the most prosperous part of the UK and one of the wealthiest regions in the world.

Migrants and students have a better chance of finding work around London, which is teaming with hotels, shops, bars and restaurants, and more tourist attractions than almost anywhere on earth.

This week I asked a number of students at Majestic College taking NVQ courses, such as Health and Social Care and Customer Service, how long it took them to find a job – which they need to cover the practical ‘on the job’ learning as part of their course. Almost all the student visa holders, living in the South East, had found jobs within a month of landing in the UK.

One young Filipina Customer Service student said she had applied for ten jobs before securing a part time position at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington as a Food Service Hostess. I asked how she landed this job and she said:

“I just walked in with my CV and asked if they had any vacancies.”

London is also a magnet for an estimated half a million overstayers and illegal immigrants, which is why Mayor Boris Johnson favours an amnesty for illegal immigrants against his own party line. See London Mayor Boris Johnson favours amnesty for illegal immigrants

The UK has a population of over 60 million, with 7.5 million people living in London alone. London receives around 30 million tourists a year, with over 90 million passing through UK ports. Heathrow is the world’s busiest international airport. 

The Borders Citizenship and Immigration Bill, expected to become law later this year, will make it harder to settle in the UK, affecting Work Permit holders, for instance, Senior Carers and Nurses, and other hoping to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British Citizenship. 

If you need any immigration advice or help with Studying in the UK, Settlement, Citizenship, Sponsorship, extending Work Permits, Visa or an appeal against a refusal please email:

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

See also: Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill will make it harder to settle in the UK

The South London man had serious underlying health problems and was in Lewisham Hospital. Tests undertaken after his death showed he had the flu.

He is the fourth person with swine flu to die in the UK. Dr Simon Tanner, from NHS London, said London has seen a “spike” in flu cases in the past week.

London is the second-worst affected area, with more than 1,900 cases.

To put this into perspective, the UK has a population of over 60 million, with 7.5 million people living in London alone. London receives around 30 million tourists a year, with over 90 million passing through UK ports. Heathrow is the world’s busiest international airport.

For more information on the capital see London Line - http://www.londononline.co.uk/factfile/population/ or Visit London – http://www.visitlondon.com/

For more advice on Swine Flu visit the useful NHS Direct website – http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

IMPORTANT – ADVISORY ON THE SWINE FLU OUTBREAK 

The Philippine Embassy in London reminds all Filipino nationals in the United Kingdom and Ireland to take the following precautionary measures in the wake of the increasing number of confirmed swine flu cases in different parts of the world:

Avoid large crowds and congested areas.

Wash hands regularly particularly after contact with other people through hand shakes and similar human contact.

Contact your General Practitioner (GP) by phone on the type of medicine to have on hand in case you experience flu-like symptoms.

Avoid going to hospitals and clinics unless there is a medical emergency.

If you have arrived from a recent trip from an affected area, monitor your health condition closely for at least seven (7) days. If during this period you develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of a cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches, remain at home and contact your GP by phone or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 4647).

Note that both the Philippine and UK governments have advised their nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico

Continue to monitor updates on the swine flu outbreak as these are released to the public via newspapers, televIsion, radio and the internet.

Filipino nationals who have concerns about the outbreak of Swine Flu may call the Philippine Embassy hotline at 07802790695. 

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