Net migration into the UK has fallen, official figures show | BBC News

Summary

The latest UK migration statistics for the year ending June 2024 reveal a 20% drop in net migration to 728,000 compared to the previous year's estimate of 965,000. This shift reflects changes in the composition of migration, with more individuals coming from outside the EU, particularly from India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The data includes asylum seekers, constituting 8% of total immigration. The impact of new immigration policies, introduced by the Conservative government in early 2024, is expected to be more visible in future data. Politically, both the Labour and Conservative parties aim to address public concerns over high immigration, with Labour pledging to reduce numbers further.

Takeaways

• 😀 Net migration to the UK for the year up to June 2024 is estimated at 728,000, a 20% decrease from the previous year.
• 😀 The updated net migration figures for 2023 were revised from 685,000 to 728,000, reflecting better data and insights.
• 😀 A significant shift has occurred in migration patterns, with 86% of immigrants now coming from outside the EU, compared to previous years when more came from EU countries.
• 😀 The top countries of origin for immigrants to the UK are India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
• 😀 Work and study-related immigration remain the highest categories of migration, with work-related entries staying relatively stable.
• 😀 There has been a slight decrease in student dependents arriving, though student immigration itself has stayed steady.
• 😀 The data also includes asylum seekers, with around 8% of the total migration number (728,000) being asylum claims.
• 😀 Policy changes introduced by the Conservative government in early 2024, such as restrictions on family dependents and raising earnings thresholds for visas, are expected to impact migration figures in the future.
• 😀 The current government will likely see a lag in the impact of these policy changes, with full effects expected in future data releases (May 2025).
• 😀 The political debate over immigration continues, with both the Labour and Conservative parties under pressure to address public concerns about high migration numbers.

Q & A

What is the latest net migration figure for the UK for the year ending June 2024?

The latest net migration figure for the UK for the year ending June 2024 is 728,000.

How does the 2024 net migration figure compare to previous estimates for 2023?

The 2024 net migration figure is 728,000, which is a 20% drop compared to the updated estimate for 2023, which was 960,000.

Why were the 2023 migration estimates revised from 685,000 to 728,000?

The 2023 migration estimates were revised due to the availability of additional data, which provided a more accurate understanding of migration patterns.

What is the significance of the shift in migration patterns between the EU and non-EU countries?

Historically, more migrants came from the EU, but now 86% of migrants are coming from outside the EU, with the highest numbers from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

What are the main categories of migration to the UK in 2024?

The main categories of migration to the UK in 2024 are work-related and study-related immigration, both of which remain the highest categories. Asylum-related migration also makes up a portion of the total.

How does asylum migration factor into the overall migration statistics?

Asylum migration accounts for approximately 8% of the total migration figure of 728,000, including both individuals arriving via small boats and those seeking asylum through other routes.

What impact did the UK government's immigration policy changes in early 2024 have on migration numbers?

The policy changes, including restrictions on family reunifications for students and workers and higher income thresholds for visas, are expected to impact future migration figures, although the full effect will not be visible until the next set of data.

Why is there a delay in seeing the full impact of the 2024 immigration policy changes?

The full impact of the 2024 immigration policy changes will not be seen until the next set of data, as the current data only covers the year up to June 2024, before the full effects of these policies could manifest.

How does the timing of the UK's general election relate to the migration data?

The migration data covers the year up to June 2024, which is before the general election in July 2024. Therefore, the election and the new Labour government had no impact on these migration figures.

What are the political implications of these migration figures for the Conservative and Labour parties?

The Conservative Party, under new leadership, has faced criticism for high immigration numbers, and the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, may aim to balance public concerns with the economic benefits of immigration. Both parties are likely to adjust their immigration policies in response to public sentiment.