Lord Empey

The Government continues to closely monitor the impact on Northern Ireland of any potential changes in global tariff rates, and notes the US letter of 12 July to the EU and subsequent pausing of any EU retaliatory measures until at least August.

Should EU countermeasures come into effect, in line with the agreed protection measures of both the UK and EU markets, a limited subset of US goods moving into Northern Ireland may be impacted. Where these goods do not subsequently enter the EU, the Duty Reimbursement Scheme enables traders to reclaim or remit any additional duties, without any limit on total claims. The UK remains fully committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and protecting the UK internal market.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician

The Lord Empey Kt OBE

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0AA

1 May 2025

Dear Lord Empey,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many citizens of Russia are resident in the United Kingdom (HL6884), and how many citizens of China are resident in the United Kingdom (HL6885).

Census 2021 country of birth data is currently our best estimate of the population of England and Wales by citizenship. At the time of Census 2021, there were 56,053 usual residents in England and Wales that were born in Russia and 182,376 usual residents in England and Wales that were born in China.

In the longer term, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) aims to develop high-quality outputs using DPM (Demographic Population Model) stocks. It should deliver, in due course, a coherent stock estimate alongside population flows, enhancing the quality and reliability of population statistics.

Country of birth[1] is the country in which a person was born. This is different to nationality which is the country or countries where a person can have a legal status, although they may not reside in that country.

Country of birth does not change, except due to an international boundary change. As a person's country of birth typically does not change, it is sometimes preferable to use when analysing the UK resident population. As it remains constant across time it is a consistent measure of long-term migration and is not affected by rates of successful British citizenship applications. Statistics by country of birth are useful in understanding the longer-term contribution of international migration to the UK, including people who have moved to the UK and since changed their nationality.

While this source provides the best picture of society at a moment in time, we acknowledge that there is a need for more timely and frequent statistics at a consistent level of quality. Provisional estimates for the year ending June 2022, produced by rolling forward Census 2021 estimates and accounting for population change, were published in International migration research, progress update: November 2022[2].

The ONS will also look at the feasibility of using the Annual Population Survey (APS) for this kind of output going forward. The findings will be included in a research report to be published in May 2025. If the proposed solutions are deemed suitable by both the ONS and its users, a UK-wide population estimate will be added to the publication suite in November 2025.

The data provided in this response is for England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland conduct their own censuses. Equivalent data can be obtained from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency[3] and the National Records of Scotland[4] respectively.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/methodologies/guidanceonusingcountryofbirthnationalityandpassportshelddata#country-of-birth

[2]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/articles/internationalmigrationresearchprogressupdate/november2022

[3]https://www.nisra.gov.uk/contact

[4]https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/contact-us/

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician

The Lord Empey Kt OBE

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0AA

1 May 2025

Dear Lord Empey,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many citizens of Russia are resident in the United Kingdom (HL6884), and how many citizens of China are resident in the United Kingdom (HL6885).

Census 2021 country of birth data is currently our best estimate of the population of England and Wales by citizenship. At the time of Census 2021, there were 56,053 usual residents in England and Wales that were born in Russia and 182,376 usual residents in England and Wales that were born in China.

In the longer term, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) aims to develop high-quality outputs using DPM (Demographic Population Model) stocks. It should deliver, in due course, a coherent stock estimate alongside population flows, enhancing the quality and reliability of population statistics.

Country of birth[1] is the country in which a person was born. This is different to nationality which is the country or countries where a person can have a legal status, although they may not reside in that country.

Country of birth does not change, except due to an international boundary change. As a person's country of birth typically does not change, it is sometimes preferable to use when analysing the UK resident population. As it remains constant across time it is a consistent measure of long-term migration and is not affected by rates of successful British citizenship applications. Statistics by country of birth are useful in understanding the longer-term contribution of international migration to the UK, including people who have moved to the UK and since changed their nationality.

While this source provides the best picture of society at a moment in time, we acknowledge that there is a need for more timely and frequent statistics at a consistent level of quality. Provisional estimates for the year ending June 2022, produced by rolling forward Census 2021 estimates and accounting for population change, were published in International migration research, progress update: November 2022[2].

The ONS will also look at the feasibility of using the Annual Population Survey (APS) for this kind of output going forward. The findings will be included in a research report to be published in May 2025. If the proposed solutions are deemed suitable by both the ONS and its users, a UK-wide population estimate will be added to the publication suite in November 2025.

The data provided in this response is for England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland conduct their own censuses. Equivalent data can be obtained from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency[3] and the National Records of Scotland[4] respectively.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

[1]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/methodologies/guidanceonusingcountryofbirthnationalityandpassportshelddata#country-of-birth

[2]https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/articles/internationalmigrationresearchprogressupdate/november2022

[3]https://www.nisra.gov.uk/contact

[4]https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/contact-us/

We are committed to fulfilling the obligations set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement including, in due course, the 2026 review of implementation as per Article 776. The Government is committed to resetting relations with the European Union and enhancing our safety, security and prosperity.

In its manifesto, the Government set out its commitment to implementing the Windsor Framework and protecting the UK internal market – as well as improving the UK’s trade relationship with the EU. The Government will continue to have regular and constructive dialogue with the EU on a wide variety of matters, including the Windsor Framework.

The Department for Business and Trade works closely with a number of Departments to monitor changes in EU legislation and assess the impact on businesses and consumers in all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland. DBT, along with other Departments, also engages closely with the EU institutions through structured channels, including the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) committee structures and Windsor Framework structures.

The UK Government remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith while protecting the UK Internal Market.

A trade deal with India will deliver on this Government’s core mission of economic growth and unlock new opportunities for businesses in every corner of the UK, including in Northern Ireland, increasing bilateral trade by £25.5bn, UK GDP by £4.8bn, and wages by £2.2bn each and every year in the long run.

We will set out further information on the sectoral impacts of this agreement in our impact assessment.

We will always act in the best interests of businesses across the UK. As the Prime Minister said on 2 April, we will look closely at the details of any retaliatory tariffs, if they are announced by the EU, and any impact these might have on businesses. Where goods moving to Northern Ireland do not enter the EU, businesses can claim a full reimbursement of any EU duties paid. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade spoke to the Northern Ireland Executive on 3 April, and we are committed to working together in the interests of everybody in Northern Ireland.

We are disappointed by these tariffs and aware of the significant impact they may have on UK industry and consumers. The UK is keeping all options open in response and will not hesitate to act in national interest. We are seeking the views of UK businesses as part of a wider request for input on potential tariff response options. Officials continue to work closely with the Trade Remedies Authority to assess the possible trade diversion impact from these US measures. We will continue to engage and support domestic industries and consumers on this matter.

In preparation for any US tariffs, departmental officials were assessing the potential impacts of trade diversion on UK industry. The extent of US tariffs became clear on 3 April. Officials continue to work closely with the Trade Remedies Authority to assess the possible trade diversion impacts from these US measures. Where imports are being dumped into the UK, causing injury to UK producers, either UK industry or the Secretary of State can apply to the Trade Remedies Authority for an anti-dumping investigation. This government will not hesitate to act to protect UK industry should we need to do so.

This policy is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. We will publish an updated plan in due course, with full detail of policies and proposals to meet the UK’s emissions targets on a pathway to net zero. In developing this we will continue to consult and work closely with the devolved governments.

From a peak of 883,000 visitors from China in 2019, the number of tourists from China visiting the United Kingdom over the past five years is as follows: 130,000 estimated visitors in 2020, 15,000 visitors in 2021, 47,000 in 2022, 368,000 in 2023 and the estimated forecast for 2024 is 573,000.

From a peak of 199,000 visitors from Russia in 2019, the number of tourists from Russia visiting the United Kingdom over the past five years is as follows: 61,000 estimated visitors in 2020, 23,000 visitors in 2021, 44,000 in 2022, 36,000 in 2023 and the estimated forecast for 2024 is 51,000.

From a peak of 883,000 visitors from China in 2019, the number of tourists from China visiting the United Kingdom over the past five years is as follows: 130,000 estimated visitors in 2020, 15,000 visitors in 2021, 47,000 in 2022, 368,000 in 2023 and the estimated forecast for 2024 is 573,000.

From a peak of 199,000 visitors from Russia in 2019, the number of tourists from Russia visiting the United Kingdom over the past five years is as follows: 61,000 estimated visitors in 2020, 23,000 visitors in 2021, 44,000 in 2022, 36,000 in 2023 and the estimated forecast for 2024 is 51,000.

The Government recognises the importance of having a robust drainage and wastewater system both now and for future demand. It is the responsibility of water and sewerage undertakers to plan to meet the needs of customers, including accounting for population growth. As part of the Environment Act 2021, a new duty has been created for water companies in England to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). DWMPs set out how a water company intends to improve their drainage and wastewater systems over the next 25 years, accounting for factors including growing population and changing environmental circumstances. These plans will help sewerage companies to fully assess the capacity of the drainage and wastewater network and develop collaborative solutions to current problems and future issues. The plans will bring together various stakeholders including local authorities and industry regulators. Taking a strategic approach to drainage and wastewater management, will help to identify and mitigate issues related to insufficient network capacity or damaged infrastructure.

As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on May 19, 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area.

Our aim is to start the detailed negotiations as soon as possible, as we want to see businesses benefit from removing barriers to trade.

The Government is committed to tackling trade barriers wherever they emerge as we have shown by securing a new free trade agreement with India and a new deal with the US.

The SPS agreement will reduce delays and paperwork at the border with the EU, make it easier and cheaper to take pets on holiday into the EU, and trade in products such as fresh sausages and seed potatoes will be able to resume.

We will always consider our economic interests in the round. The EU is our largest trading partner and there are significant opportunities from an SPS agreement. We will continue to work with trading partners throughout this process, both bilaterally and at the WTO.

The agreement with the EU does not impact on our ability to agree Free Trade Agreements with other trading partners. Any practical impacts on imports from the rest of the world will be communicated to traders in due course.

A commitment to produce a report on safeguarding veterinary medicines into NI was made by the Veterinary Medicines Working Group (VMWG) established under the previous government; the group was paused due to the election before the report could be published. The VMWG has since been reestablished to provide advice to the new UK Government on an ongoing basis but will no longer produce a final report. Maintaining availability of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland after the end of 2025 is a priority and this Government will progress work on this issue as quickly as possible.

No assessment has been made of the number of cyclists who cycle on roads in the dark without lights on their bicycles. Rule 60 of The Highway Code states that cycles must be fitted with a red rear reflector and have white front and red rear lights lit at night. Cycling without proper lights at night is an offence, and enforcement of this is entirely a matter for the police.

Whilst the Department works closely with the Motability Foundation and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme, the Motability Foundation is an independent charitable organisation that is wholly responsible for the terms and administration of the Scheme, along with oversight of Motability Operations.

Motability Operation’s Annual Report and Accounts are publicly available and can be found on their website.

Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. Any misuse of a scheme vehicle is a matter for Motability, and they will take action as appropriate.

The Department takes benefit fraud extremely seriously, as has been underlined by our campaign to warn people of the consequences of trying to defraud the benefits system. People who suspect benefit fraud can ring the National Benefit Fraud Hotline number on 0800 854 4400 to report in confidence any information which would help the Department’s officials in their investigations.

The effects of population increases and wider demographic change on the demand for services are analysed through the use of age cost curves and Office for National Statistics population statistics. Age cost curves estimate the demand for services for a person of a particular age and characteristics. The Department uses these along with bottom-up estimates to understand how population change will affect the National Health Service.

These show, as outlined in the 10-Year Health Plan, that demographic change and population ageing are set to increase demand on an already stretched health service.

In the short term, to respond to these pressures, we have seen the recent Spending Review announce that annual NHS day-to-day spending will increase by £29 billion in real terms, a £53 billion cash increase, by 2028/29 compared to 2023/24. This will take the NHS resource budget to £226 billion by 2028/29, which is the equivalent to a 3% average annual real terms growth rate over the Spending Review period. The Spending Review also announced a £2.3 billion real terms increase, a £4 billion cash increase, in the Department’s annual capital budgets from 2023/24 to 2029/30. This will deliver the largest ever health capital budget, representing a more than 20% real terms increase by the end of the Spending Review period.

In the longer term, the 10-Year Health Plan also outlines that we must bend the demand curve, through a vision for a new model of care predicated on the three shifts, from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. This will help secure the financial sustainability of the NHS and make it fit for the future.

The National Health Service is a residency-based system, which means that people who do not live here on a lawful, settled basis must contribute to the cost of their care. However, some of the most vulnerable people arriving in the United Kingdom, including refugees and asylum seekers, do not pay for NHS treatment.

There are varying entitlements to secondary healthcare services across England and the devolved administrations. Specific examples can be found in the NHS entitlements: migrant health guide on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format. We do not hold information on the level of uptake of these services.

The UK and international partners remain deeply concerned about the implications of the deepening Russia-DPRK military cooperation. The G7 has consistently condemned the military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, most recently at the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting on 14 March at Charlevoix. In February, together with our G7 partners, the UK imposed its largest sanctions packages against Russia since 2022 which included DPRK officials. We have continually raised the issue in other multilateral fora, including at the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and NATO, as well as through our regular engagement with likeminded partners. We will continue to impose costs on Russia and DPRK.

The direct participation of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) troops in combat operations and supplies to Russia is another dangerous expansion of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, with serious consequences for European and Indo-Pacific security. We have repeatedly raised the issue on diplomatic channels, in multilateral fora, and through our regular engagement with likeminded partners. As part of the G7, we also designated several DPRK individuals involved in supporting the Russian military-industrial complex. Most recently, on 17 June, the Prime Minister met with President Lee Jae Myung where they discussed Ukraine and the challenges posed by the DPRK. On 16 December, the Foreign Secretary, along with G7 Foreign Ministers, condemned the increasing military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia.

Russia's increasing reliance on support from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to help wage its illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates its underlying weakness. As we have said publicly, the DPRK is believed to have supplied 20,000 containers of munitions to Russia, and its artillery and mortar shells account for 60 per cent of those used in Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. The DPRK must immediately withdraw its troops and stop its provision of thousands of munitions, arms and other materiel. The DPRK is subject to an extensive range of UN sanctions and the UK will continue to work with our partners to influence and to hold the DPRK to account for supporting Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. On 24 February 2025 the UK announced its largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022, including DPRK officials involved in supporting Russian military action against Ukraine. We do not comment on future or potential expansions of our DPRK sanctions as this could affect their impact.

Russia's increasing reliance on support from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to help wage its illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrates its underlying weakness. As we have said publicly, the DPRK is believed to have supplied hundreds of ballistic missiles and 20,000 containers of munitions to Russia. This includes millions of artillery and mortar rounds, accounting for around half of those Russia has fired against Ukraine. In addition the DPRK deployed approximately 11,000 combat troops to the Russian oblast of Kursk, sustaining 6000 casualties in offensive combat operations against Ukraine according to our latest estimates.

It is not for the UK to comment on the US' legal position and the UK did not participate in these strikes. We expect all parties to abide by international law. Our priority is stability in the Middle East and we have been clear with all sides that restarting the conflict is in nobody's interest.

There will be implementation costs associated with the UK-EU reset agreement, which will be confirmed in due course once we have negotiated the details of the agreement. This will include proportionate contributions in specific and limited areas, such as where access to specific IT systems will help to remove trade barriers for UK firms or manage biosecurity risks. The UK will also negotiate fair financial contributions to the Erasmus+ programme which will reflect the benefits of participation. We will not be making general contributions to the EU budget.

The UK has an open and trade intensive economy.

The government is delivering its growth mission by prioritising stability, investment and reform to drive prosperity across the UK.

To stimulate the construction of new homes, the Government maintains a zero rate of VAT on new-build residential buildings. Additionally, residential renovations are subject to a reduced rate of VAT of five per cent if they meet certain conditions. These include conversions of buildings from one residential use to another, conversions from commercial to residential use, and the renovation of properties that have been empty for two or more years.

VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Introducing further construction-related VAT reliefs would come at a significant cost to the Exchequer. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of the overall public finances. In July 2024, the Government published an audit of public spending, which set out £22 billion of in-year pressures. These pressures were not limited to 2024/25, with the vast majority recurring in future years.

Recent data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) is subject to significant uncertainty. LFS response rates fell from 49.3% in Q3 2013 [1] to 12.7% in Q3 2023 [2], which have led to a number of concerns about the quality of data based on the LFS.

As set out in its November 2024 Labour Market Overview [3], despite coherence challenges between LFS estimates and other data sources, the LFS continues to be the sole source of data for unemployment, economic inactivity and the self-employed. There are also a range of breakdowns that are only possible from LFS data.

The ONS is undertaking work to address these quality issues through improvements to its data collection and methodology [4]. The ONS is also continuing to develop the Transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) as the long-term solution for collecting labour market data [5].

While planned improvements are underway, LFS estimates remain volatile and will continue to be badged as ‘official statistics in development’ until further review. The ONS advise caution when interpreting changes in headline LFS rates and recommend using them as part of its suite of labour market indicators [6].

[1] Labour Force Survey performance and quality monitoring report: October to December 2023 - Office for National Statistics

[2] Labour Force Survey performance and quality monitoring report: July to September 2024 - Office for National Statistics

[3] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/november2024

[4] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/methodologies/labourforcesurveyplannedimprovementsanditsreintroduction

[5] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/labourmarkettransformationupdateonprogressandplans/july2024

[6] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/november2024

The rate of employer contributions paid to the main unfunded public service pension schemes is assessed as part of scheme valuations every four years. The most recent employer contribution rates were implemented in April 2024.