UK net migration down 80% from its peak in 2023 | BBC News

Summary

Recent figures show UK net migration plunged to 204,000 in the year to June — a steep fall from almost 650,000 a year earlier and well below the 2023 peak. BBC statistics head Robert Cuff explains the decline is largely driven by fewer non-EU workers and students arriving, and reduced family arrivals, trends shaped by policy changes under successive governments. At the same time asylum claims have risen to a record ~111,000 and some 36,000 people are being housed in hotels while awaiting decisions. While migration appears to have settled near pre-pandemic levels, its future trajectory remains uncertain and politically charged.

Takeaways

• 😀 Net migration to the UK dropped sharply to 204,000 in the year to June, a significant drop from almost 650,000 in 2024 and 80% lower than the 2023 peak.
• 😀 The decrease in net migration is due to fewer people arriving to work or study from outside the EU, and fewer family members accompanying them.
• 😀 Migration numbers fluctuated greatly over the past two years, with a rapid rise to nearly a million people, driven by policies that encouraged workers in health care and higher student enrollment.
• 😀 Net migration has now returned to pre-pandemic levels, with significant drops in the number of people coming to work or study in the UK.
• 😀 The government's policy changes under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made it more difficult for migrants to bring family members with them, contributing to the fall in migration numbers.
• 😀 The drop in migration occurred under both the Conservative and Labour governments, with measures being introduced before and after Labour took power.
• 😀 Asylum claims in the UK reached a record high, with over 111,000 people claiming asylum in the past year.
• 😀 The number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has increased to 36,000, leading to concerns about the government's ability to meet its pledge to end hotel use for asylum housing by the end of parliament.
• 😀 Despite faster processing and fewer people waiting for asylum decisions, the high number of asylum claims continues to put pressure on the system.
• 😀 The decline in net migration is not expected to reverse dramatically, as current numbers are comparable to pre-pandemic levels, though the future direction remains uncertain.

Q & A

What is the latest net migration figure for the UK, and how does it compare to previous years?

The latest net migration figure for the UK is 204,000 in the year to June 2024. This represents a significant drop from almost 650,000 in the year to June 2023 and a decline of nearly 80% from the peak in 2023.

What are the main factors driving the drop in net migration to the UK?

The drop in net migration is primarily due to fewer people coming to the UK to work and study from outside the EU, along with fewer people bringing their families with them. Additionally, policies have been implemented to make it more difficult for people to bring their families with them.

How did UK migration numbers change during the pandemic period?

Before the pandemic, migration numbers were steady, adding about 240,000 people to the UK each year. After the government opened programs to bring in health and social care workers and set targets for university student intake, migration numbers surged to nearly one million in a two-year period. However, the numbers have since returned to pre-pandemic levels.

How much credit can the UK government take for the current drop in net migration?

While the current government can claim credit for the fall in net migration, much of it is a result of decisions made by the previous government, including policies that made it easier for people to come to the UK under Boris Johnson’s administration. The current government has made changes to reduce family migration, but the decline in migration started before their tenure.

What impact has the government’s migration policy had on family reunification?

The government's recent policy changes have made it more difficult for individuals to bring their families to the UK, particularly for those coming to work in the NHS or to study. This has contributed to the overall drop in net migration.

How have asylum seeker numbers changed in the UK, and what is the current situation regarding hotel accommodation?

The number of people claiming asylum in the UK has risen to a record 111,000 in the last year. As a result, the number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels has increased to 36,000. While the number of people waiting for asylum decisions has decreased, the record number of asylum claims makes it challenging to reduce the reliance on hotels.

What is the UK government's pledge regarding asylum seekers and hotel accommodation?

The government has pledged to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of parliament. However, with asylum claims at a record high, achieving this goal remains a challenge.

What has been the impact of faster asylum decision-making on hotel accommodation?

The processing time for asylum claims has improved, with a third fewer people waiting for decisions since the Labour government took office. Despite this, the rapid increase in asylum seekers has made it difficult to meet the government's target of ending hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.

Are the recent declines in net migration expected to continue over the long term?

There is no indication that the decline in net migration will suddenly reverse or bounce back to the levels seen in 2023. While the numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels, it’s uncertain whether they will continue to fall further.

What challenges do employers and universities face with the current migration trends?

Employers and universities that rely on international workers and students are facing challenges, as the decline in migration affects the availability of skilled workers and student fees. The situation is creating debates about the need for more workers with the right skills.