Britain's baby boom

It's official. The economy may be bust but the birth rate is booming. The latest count of Britain's population shows that they are the reason the country is fuller than it's ever been. Fertility rates have increased in the UK since 2001 (Roma Chapell, office of national statistics) when they reached a low of 1.63. Then, they have risen to 1.96 in 2008 and you have got to go all the way back to 1973 to find another year when fertility rates were higher in the UK. There were 791000 babies born between 2007 and 2008. That means 1 in 5 of the population is under 16. But we are also living longer. 1.3 million are over 85. Until now, immigration, particularly from Eastern Europe was thought to account for this baby boom. That no longer seems to be the only cause. This figure shows that is largely due to more babies being born. The population is increasing despite the fact that the number of new immigrants is falling. Record numbers from Eastern Europe left last year and yet, the number of people living in the UK is still rising. The bulging population stretches services. The elderly need more care both at home and in hospital. More local authorities are being forced to find more schools and nursery places. Certainly in major urban areas, you will find a considerable number of schools being expanded at reception to cater for the increasing number of people coming through. (Les Laurence. Local government association). But there are warnings that this surge in the indigenous population birth rates combined with immigration will push the population over 70 million by 2030. ITN

Voc:

The economy may be bust= may be close to banktuptcy
Is there a link between the economic situation and the number of babies being born?
The economy may be bust, but Britain is fuller than it has ever been.
..........................................., and ............, Britain is fuller...
.......................the economy may be bust, Britain is fuller...