Most of the newcomers have arrived from outside the EU

Have they? Any facts and figures to substantiate that claim?

Back to the main thread. I think that there is a genuine worry that overcrowding will become a problem. I don't think though that immigration is the cause though. Overcrowding will happen regardless of migration patterns, unless we have another world war, heaven forbid. Immigration may make it happen a little sooner but even the 2.5 million figure quoted is quite insignificant compared to the present population. I also believe that the tide is now moving back although I cannot quote any figures on that and I must make clear that this is my own observation.

Although only 3/4 of a million English people emmigrated do we have any figures on the number of previous immigrants who have now left? Anecdotal evidence, such that it is, leads me to believe that a lot of the Poles that arrived locally in the last few years have now returned home. Don't know about other nationalities because I have less reason to notice. It does seem as though a lot who came did not find the land of milk and honey they hoped for and have realised that they have more dentists, hospitals and schools back in Warsaw, Krakow and Bielystok!

Cheers

DeG