Immigration from central and east Europe is in decline according to recent figures. The number of people arriving in the UK from these countries declined by a third in the 12 months up until June last year – 68,000 people, compared to around 100,000 in the previous 12 months.

Other related figures include the number of asylum seekers, which have been fewer in the last three months of 2009 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Deportations and unauthorised migrants who left voluntarily were 64,750 in the year, which is about 3,000 fewer.

However, the number of people seeking British citizenship increased by about a third.