A significant decline in net migration has been reported, with a decrease of about two-thirds within a year.
New data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today indicates that long-term net migration in the year leading to June fell sharply to 204,000, down from the previous year’s 649,000, which is viewed as a positive development for Keir Starmer.
According to statisticians, 898,000 individuals arrived in the UK during that period, marking a decrease of 401,000 compared to the preceding 12 months. Concurrently, 693,000 people departed the country over the same timeframe.
The Labour party has made a commitment to reduce net migration. Recently, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled revisions to settlement regulations, introducing regular reviews every 30 months for individuals with refugee status.
Mahmood stated, “Net migration has reached its lowest level in five years, decreasing by more than two-thirds under the current government. However, further steps are being taken due to the significant strain that migration has placed on local communities.”
She added, “I recently announced adjustments to our migration system to ensure that newcomers make a positive contribution and give more than they receive.”
Of the long-term migrants to the UK, approximately 75%, or an estimated 670,000 individuals, were nationals of non-EU countries. British nationals accounted for around 143,000, while 85,000 were from EU nations.
Recent Home Office data shows that 111,000 individuals sought asylum in the year ending September 2025, representing a 13% increase from the previous year and surpassing the previous peak of 103,000 recorded in 2002.
Mahmood expressed concerns about illegal immigration causing division in the country and emphasized the need to enhance deportations, including families with children. She also outlined a series of measures to ensure individuals “earn” the right to permanent settlement.
Following warnings from experts about misleading perceptions of rising immigration, a survey by Ipsos/British Future Immigration Attitudes Tracker revealed that 56% of the public believed net migration had increased the previous year, despite a significant decline from 2023 to 2024.
Director of immigration thinktank British Future, Sunder Katwala, emphasized the need for a more accurate public understanding of the decreasing trend in net migration, calling for a realistic immigration discourse that aligns with the current situation.
Additionally, a separate set of Home Office data revealed that in the year leading to September, 2.2 million visitor visas were issued, along with 839,000 visas for work, study, family, and humanitarian purposes.
Public perceptions regarding the proportion of asylum seekers in overall immigration were found to be