Migrationwatch has revealed Government figures show more than 2m people have emigrated to the UK between 1991 and 2006.

Supporters of immigration have tried to make out that the majority of these have come from EU member states and that they will return home once their home economies have improved. The same supporters argue there is no point in immigration control, as they do not apply to EU citizens.

However, these figures show only 8%, around 200,000, of the 2.3m migrants were from Eastern Europe.

Chairman of Migrationwatch, Sir Andrew Green said: “The reality is that those who come and stay are almost entirely from countries subject to immigration control. What we need therefore is effective control.”

A UK Border Agency spokesman said sweeping changes were being introduced to the immigration system: “The Australian style points-based  system will cover six out of every ten migrants wanting to come to the UK.” Other measures will include a single border force to guard UK ports and compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals.

The figures also showed 212,000 people had left the UK, mostly going to Australia and EU countries as well as the US, New Zealand and Canada.