Net migration to the UK has decreased by 20% from a peak of 906,000 the previous year, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In the year up to June 2024, the latest estimated net migration figures—the difference between arrivals and departures—are at roughly 728,000.
According to ONS director Mary Gregory, the decline is “attributed to a reduction in the number of dependants on study visas arriving from outside the EU”.
There was a 19% drop in student visas during the year ending September 2024, in comparison to the previous year when the academic year starts.
Additionally, worker visas saw a 33% reduction in that timeframe.
The former Conservative government altered regulations so that since January, the majority of students are no longer permitted to bring dependents, with exceptions solely for those pursuing PhD programs.
In March, additional changes were implemented by the Conservative government, preventing care workers and senior care workers from sponsoring dependents under the health and care worker visa.
Rishi Sunak’s Conservative administration also increased the minimum salary threshold for the skilled worker visa from £26,200 to £38,700 in April, complicating the process for obtaining this visa.
Statistics released today by the Home Office reveal that government expenditure on asylum in the UK has soared to £5.38 billion for the year ending April 2024, representing a 36% rise from £3.95 billion the previous year.
The recent net migration statistics, spanning from July 2023 to June 2024, encapsulate the Conservatives’ final year in governance, concluding with Labour’s election victory at the beginning of July.
James Cleverly, a former Conservative home secretary, remarked: “Today’s migration statistics are the first to reflect the effects of the adjustments I instituted as home secretary.”
“Although the numbers remain excessively high, we are observing the first notable downward trend in years. Adjustments that Labour opposed and has yet to fully enact.”
Suella Braverman, the prior Tory home secretary before Mr. Cleverly, also asserted that she deserves credit for the reduction in net migration, stating it “is a consequence of the reforms I advocated for and implemented in May 2023.”
“That marked the moment we began to reverse the trend,” she noted.
“However, 1.2 million arrivals annually is still too considerable. This is untenable and highlights the necessity for transformative change.”
The ONS has upwards revised net migration figures for preceding years, with 2023 adjusted from 740,000 to 906,000—rendering it the new record high, surpassing 2022.
The figure for 2022 increased from 607,000 to 754,000, while 2021 saw a rise from 221,000 to 254,000.
The newest statistics indicate a slight rise in emigration; however, the major cause of the decline is mainly due to a drop in immigration.
Entries to the UK as dependents of individuals on work and study visas fell by 41%.
Main applicants for work visas fell by 7%, whereas main applicants for study visas decreased by 9%.
The ONS also noted that the reduction in net migration is partly a result of an increase in long-term emigration—individuals departing the UK—especially those who had entered the country on study visas.
“This is likely a result of the significant number of students who arrived in the UK post-pandemic now nearing the conclusion of their studies,” the ONS explained.
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