Nigel Farage recently stated: “7.2 million foreign-born people have registered with GPs in the last 10 years... All I'm doing here is giving you cold hard facts.”
Well, here’s a cold hard fact that is actually verifiable: 40.6% of GPs in England and Wales are foreign-born. The NHS wouldn’t survive without them. Foreign-born staff aren’t a burden—they’re the backbone.
Nigel Farage’s claim that "7.2 million foreign-born people have registered with GPs in the last 10 years" is highly misleading and requires context. And here’s why:
1. Misrepresentation of GP Registration Data
The 7.2 million figure likely comes from NHS Digital’s GP registration data, which tracks all new patient registrations, not just foreign-born individuals.
Many of these registrations are duplicates (e.g., people moving between GPs, students changing addresses, or babies being born).
The net increase in GP patients over the past decade is far lower—around 3 million (from ~59m in 2013 to ~62m in 2023).
NHS data experts have long cautioned against using raw registration numbers as proxies for migration—they’re too messy and often inflated.
2. Foreign-Born ≠ Recent Immigrants
The foreign-born population includes people who have lived in the UK for decades, not just recent arrivals.
Many are naturalised British citizens or long-term residents (e.g., those who arrived in the 1950s–2000s).
The ONS estimates the total foreign-born population in the UK is ~9.5 million (2021), meaning Farage’s claim would imply nearly 75% of all foreign-born people registered with GPs in just 10 years—an absurd exaggeration.
Farage’s figure also likely includes millions of EU citizens who were already living in the UK long before Brexit and simply remained after securing their rights through the EU Settlement Scheme. Over 5.6 million applications were made to the scheme, reflecting long-term residents—not new arrivals—who’ve been working, paying taxes, and contributing to British society for years.
3. The NHS Relies on Foreign-Born Staff
Farage’s framing ignores that 40.6% of GPs in England and Wales are foreign-born (Nuffield Trust, 2021).
Without them, the NHS would collapse—over 200,000 NHS staff (18%) are non-British, including 46% of doctors.
The NHS currently has over 120,000 staff vacancies, including critical shortages in nursing and general practice. Foreign-born staff are keeping the service afloat.
Many foreign-born NHS workers pay more in taxes than they use in services, helping fund the system—not drain it.
4. GP Registration ≠ Immigration Impact
Registering with a GP does not mean someone is a new immigrant—it’s required for anyone accessing healthcare, including:
British citizens returning from abroad
Children born to foreign parents (who are often British citizens)
EU citizens legally working in the UK
The UK has had net immigration of ~3.8 million in the last 10 years (not 7.2m), and even that includes students, workers, and family members—not all needing GP care immediately.
Conclusion
Farage’s claim is deliberately misleading—it conflates GP registrations (which include re-registrations and British citizens) with immigration figures, while ignoring that the NHS depends on foreign-born workers.
The real "cold hard fact" is that immigration has kept the NHS running, not overwhelmed it.
Recap:
GP Registrations ≠ Immigration
The 7.2m figure counts all new registrations—including:
Brits moving house
Babies being born
Students changing universities
Net patient growth (2013–2023): Only ~3 million (NHS Digital).
https://digital.nhs.uk/.../patients-registered-at-a-gp...
Foreign-Born ≠ “New Arrivals”
UK’s total foreign-born population: ~9.5m (many here for decades) (ONS).
https://www.ons.gov.uk/.../populat.../internationalmigration
Farage’s mathematics would mean 75% of all immigrants arrived in 10 years—obviously false.
NHS Runs on Immigrant Staff
40.6% of GPs are foreign-trained (Nuffield Trust).
https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/.../the-nhs-workforce-in...
46% of doctors are foreign-born.
120,000 NHS vacancies exist—immigrants are saving the system, not breaking it.
Net Immigration: 3.8M (Not 7.2M)
Farage’s number is double the actual net migration (ONS).
https://www.ons.gov.uk/.../migrationstatisticsquar.../latest
The Bottom Line
Farage’s claim, yet again, is a deliberate con:
He’s using admin data (GP sign-ups) to inflate fear.
He’s ignoring that immigrants staff the NHS.
His mathematics don't add up.
The real crisis? Without foreign-born workers, your GP wait time would be years, not weeks.