UK migration 'at record levels'

The number of people choosing to leave the UK and live abroad has reached record levels, experts have revealed.

According to official statistics, nearly two million British nationals have emigrated during the last decade.

Commenting on the figures, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said these are the highest ever recorded.

This is despite the fact that larger proportions of the population have moved overseas at various points in Britain's history, such as during the mid-19th century.

Jill Rutter, senior researcher at the IPPR, commented: "This is the numerically highest emigration ever."

Speaking to the Guardian, she added that the growing popularity of living abroad is partly due to increased personal wealth in Britain.

Earlier this week, Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green took a different line, saying they indicate the dissatisfaction with the current Labour government.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Green said people are "fleeing" the country because they are unhappy with the prime minister in particular.