June 30th was the deadline for citizens of European Countries to apply for settled status. The age profile of the UK population underpins Government policy. From pre-school to retirement having accurate numbers determines housing, education and health provision.
The home office believed there to be between 3.5m and 4.1m Europeans in the UK. It came as a surprise when 5-6m applied. This is a happy surprise because they are younger and therefore more productive. Overall 19% of British people are aged 65 or older. Only 2% of the applications for settled status came from Europeans in that age group.
In the next 5 years we clearly need more houses and schools.