THE NUMBER of Irish people moving to live in Britain increased by 25 per cent to 13,920 last year.
It was the biggest increase in emigration in more than 10 years, new figures indicate. The overwhelming majority of Irish people emigrating to Britain are between the ages of 18 and 34, with London by far the most popular destination.
The number of Irish citizens registering for national insurance numbers to work or claim benefits in Britain rose steadily from 9,510 in 2006 to 11,050 in 2009. The 25 per cent increase last year reflects high unemployment and the severity of the recession, emigrant groups said yesterday.
New figures published by the department for work and pensions in Britain underscore the fact that young people are by far the most likely to emigrate. Some 6,130 Irish citizens between the ages of 18 and 24 and 5,730 Irish citizens between 25 and 34 registered for national insurance numbers in 2010.
Just 1,260 people between the ages of 35 and 44 registered to work or claim benefits in Britain.
A detailed breakdown showing the number of registrations by Irish citizens in each British local authority shows the single highest number, some 690, in the city of Edinburgh in 2010.
However, several local authorities in London recorded over 300 registrations by Irish citizens last year.
These were: Wandsworth (390); Islington (320); Lambeth (370); Tower Hamlets (320); Brent (300) and Ealing (320).
The figures show 7,340 men and 6,570 women with Irish citizenship registered for national insurance numbers in 2010.
Crosscare Migrant Project, an organisation that provides support and advice to emigrants, said the new figures for 2010 represented the first big indicator of significant increased emigration to Britain as a consequence of the recession in Ireland.
“In many ways it is not surprising considering the proximity, lack of visa requirement, lack of cultural boundaries, lower unemployment rate and the size of the British economy that Irish people are emigrating to the UK,” said Joe O’Brien, policy officer at the migrant project.
He said London remained a big attraction for Irish people looking for work abroad and added that those considering emigration to Britain should prepare thoroughly before leaving, even though it was a neighbouring country.
“We would still warn people to prepare carefully, bring back-up funds or access to funds and do your research before you go,” he said.
Britain is the single most popular destination for Irish people emigrating.
Between 2002 and 2010 some 83,160 Irish citizens registered for national insurance numbers.
As Britain and Ireland share a common travel area, the only way to track emigration flows is by following the registration of national insurance numbers by Irish citizens. These numbers enable Irish citizens to work, claim benefits and study in Britain.