London is home to 585,000 illegal migrants – one in 12 of city’s population, figures show as border row deepens

UP to one in 12 people in London is an illegal migrant, a shocking report reveals today.

Fury erupted after it emerged that as many as 585,000 people in the capital have no right to be in the UK.

Most illegal migrants are believed to have come here legally and then overstayedCredit: AlamyNigel Farage said: “Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Sadiq Khan will continue to change our capital city forever.”

The figures are from a study commissioned by Thames Water and obtained by the Telegraph under freedom of information laws.

It estimated that Britain is currently home to more than one million illegal migrants, with 60 per cent concentrated in London. 

The majority are believed to have come to the country through legal means – like work, study or visitor visas – and then overstayed.

The true figure could be even more as much of the data is from 2017 before the small boat crisis erupted a year later, leading to a total 150,000 Channel crossings since then.

More than 1,000 migrants have already made the dangerous journey from France since the start of the year despite the cold weather.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Having lost control of illegal immigration over the Channel, the Government must now urgently start deporting far more illegal immigrants. 

“It is totally unacceptable to have these numbers of illegal immigrants in the UK. 

“The law needs to be looked at so that spurious human rights, modern slavery and asylum claims cannot be used to delay or prevent removals of illegal immigrants.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper insists she has ramped up deportations since taking office in July. 

A Home Office spokesman said: “We have removed 16,400 illegal migrants in just six months, the highest figure in half a decade, making it clear that those who arrive illegally will be returned.”

Nigel Farage slammed the figuresCredit: Getty