IMMIGRATION costs are soaring and putting extra pressure on the demand for services, a national report reveals.

The survey by the Local Government Association shows the number of immigrants registered as arriving in Bexley last year seriously underestimates the amount who registered with a GP.

Figures in the report show 760 migrants arrived in the borough last year, whereas the report also claims 1,209 registered with a GP; a difference of 449 people.

In the same period more than 1,500 foreign nationals registered for a national insurance number.

Out of 410 councils in England and Wales, Bexley council is ranked in 88th place for the highest population increase based on the numbers who registered with a GP, a difference from the Government migration figure of 159 per cent.

But Cabinet member for community affairs at Bexley council, Cllr Katie Perrior, said government figures are not to be trusted on their own.

“We have to use other means to find out the actual number of immigrants. But it’s not easy.

“It’s a moving picture and it’s difficult to gain accurate information.

“We are finding out more information from schools and GPs rather than relying on figures from the Government.”

For more on this story see this week's Bexley Extra.