UK Population Hits 69.5 MILLION: Is Migration Driving the Increase? | Littlewood & Cox
Description: The UK population has reached an estimated 69.5 million, rising by around 227,700 people in the year to mid-2025, according to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics. Net international migration remained the main contributor to UK population growth. Office for National Statistics
On Littlewood & Cox, the latest numbers come under scrutiny as Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet joins the discussion.
What do the figures really tell us about Britain’s changing population? What does continued population growth mean for housing, the NHS, public services and government spending? And should the debate focus simply on the overall level of migration, or on the economic circumstances and contribution of those arriving?
Alp Mehmet argues that migration remains too high and raises concerns about the pressure a growing population places on housing and public services. Mark Littlewood challenges him on whether the composition of migration matters as much as the headline number, including the distinction between people who are net contributors to the public finances and those who are not.
The conversation also tackles welfare, work, taxation, incentives for migration and the wider question of whether Britain’s current infrastructure can accommodate continued population growth.
The official ONS estimate puts the UK population at 69,483,900 in mid-2025, up 0.33% on the previous year. Office for National Statistics
Watch Littlewood & Cox on UKLIVE and tell us what you think in the comments.
#UKPopulation #Immigration #Migration #NetMigration #UKPolitics #LittlewoodAndCox #UKLIVE #Population #Housing #NHS #MigrationWatch Close description
On Littlewood & Cox, the latest numbers come under scrutiny as Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet joins the discussion.
What do the figures really tell us about Britain’s changing population? What does continued population growth mean for housing, the NHS, public services and government spending? And should the debate focus simply on the overall level of migration, or on the economic circumstances and contribution of those arriving?
Alp Mehmet argues that migration remains too high and raises concerns about the pressure a growing population places on housing and public services. Mark Littlewood challenges him on whether the composition of migration matters as much as the headline number, including the distinction between people who are net contributors to the public finances and those who are not.
The conversation also tackles welfare, work, taxation, incentives for migration and the wider question of whether Britain’s current infrastructure can accommodate continued population growth.
The official ONS estimate puts the UK population at 69,483,900 in mid-2025, up 0.33% on the previous year. Office for National Statistics
Watch Littlewood & Cox on UKLIVE and tell us what you think in the comments.
#UKPopulation #Immigration #Migration #NetMigration #UKPolitics #LittlewoodAndCox #UKLIVE #Population #Housing #NHS #MigrationWatch Close description