UK's Net Migration Dives to 69% Drop in Record Time
The UK's net migration rate has plummeted to its lowest level in over five years, according to recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. The latest data shows that the country welcomed just under 900,000 new arrivals between July and June last year, a staggering 400,000 fewer than the previous 12 months.
The drastic decline is largely attributed to a significant drop in non-EU nationals coming to the UK, with EU citizens also leaving the country at a higher rate. This shift has led to a net migration deficit of 204,000 people, marking a 69% decrease from last year's figure of 649,000.
The dramatic change in numbers is attributed to the government's efforts to reduce immigration and limit the influx of foreign workers. The previous administration's policy of encouraging foreigners to come to the UK as it emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns has been reversed, with new rules limiting work and student visas.
However, experts warn that this trend may not be sustainable in the long term. Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, said that net migration figures will likely rise again once EU citizens who arrived before Brexit begin to leave the country.
Meanwhile, asylum seekers continue to pose a challenge for the government. The number of people claiming asylum has risen, with 36,273 individuals housed in hotels at the end of September. This is up 13% from June and has led to protests over the use of local hotels by those seeking refuge.
The government has responded by announcing plans to house approximately 900 asylum seekers in two barracks in Scotland and southern England. The move aims to reduce the number of people living in hotels, which have become a contentious issue amidst concerns about accommodation costs and community pressures.
As immigration policies continue to be a hot topic ahead of the next general election, critics are calling for tougher measures to manage migration. The shadow home secretary has called for reforms that would require those coming to the UK to contribute more than they take out.
The UK's net migration rate has plummeted to its lowest level in over five years, according to recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. The latest data shows that the country welcomed just under 900,000 new arrivals between July and June last year, a staggering 400,000 fewer than the previous 12 months.
The drastic decline is largely attributed to a significant drop in non-EU nationals coming to the UK, with EU citizens also leaving the country at a higher rate. This shift has led to a net migration deficit of 204,000 people, marking a 69% decrease from last year's figure of 649,000.
The dramatic change in numbers is attributed to the government's efforts to reduce immigration and limit the influx of foreign workers. The previous administration's policy of encouraging foreigners to come to the UK as it emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns has been reversed, with new rules limiting work and student visas.
However, experts warn that this trend may not be sustainable in the long term. Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, said that net migration figures will likely rise again once EU citizens who arrived before Brexit begin to leave the country.
Meanwhile, asylum seekers continue to pose a challenge for the government. The number of people claiming asylum has risen, with 36,273 individuals housed in hotels at the end of September. This is up 13% from June and has led to protests over the use of local hotels by those seeking refuge.
The government has responded by announcing plans to house approximately 900 asylum seekers in two barracks in Scotland and southern England. The move aims to reduce the number of people living in hotels, which have become a contentious issue amidst concerns about accommodation costs and community pressures.
As immigration policies continue to be a hot topic ahead of the next general election, critics are calling for tougher measures to manage migration. The shadow home secretary has called for reforms that would require those coming to the UK to contribute more than they take out.
i dont really understand what that means, can someone explain it in simpler terms lol? and whats with all these new rules about work visas? wont that just affect some people more than others?
they contribute to the economy, learn new skills, and get to experience British life. And now, with Brexit, things have changed, but does that really mean we should turn our backs on EU citizens? 
I think we need a balanced approach... not too much regulation, but also addressing concerns about accommodation costs and community pressures. Maybe we can find ways to make it work for everyone? 
. I think it's interesting that EU citizens are leaving the country at a higher rate - maybe they're just not finding the UK as appealing as they used to? 
. It's heartbreaking to see people seeking refuge, but we need to address the root causes of migration and find better ways to support those in need 
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. I mean, 69% is crazy! But at the same time, it's kinda worrying that experts think this trend might not be sustainable... what if EU citizens start leaving again? And asylum seekers are still causing problems 
. Can't we just find a way to balance migration with the needs of our country?
this whole thing is so complicated 
. I mean, it's crazy how far the UK has come since Brexit 
...it feels like we're still figuring out how to handle this whole refugee crisis situation. And those hotel accommodations? No thanks, it's just too pricey for a lot of people 
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. We can't keep going on about 'fairness' and 'equality' without actually doing something about it 
. Can't wait to see how it all plays out! 
i mean 36k ppl claiming asylum in hotels in sept is already a lot but if its not addressed properly its gonna get worse fast 
and i feel for those eu citizens who arrived before brexit trying to find their way in a new country its just so sad 
. Plus, asylum seekers are still piling up 
and government is just shuffling them around 
. It's not a sustainable solution at all 
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! I know some people might be worried about it, but personally, I think it's awesome that the government is taking steps to control immigration and make sure everyone who comes to the country has a smooth transition. The fact that EU citizens are also leaving at a higher rate shows that there's more than one side to this story 
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It's like the tech world where everyone has an opinion on the latest gadget – you gotta weigh the pros and cons before making a decision 
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! The UK's net migration rate has dropped so much, it's crazy 
! I mean, 69% drop in record time? That's huge 
. But, at the same time, I'm a bit worried about the impact on the economy and the NHS, you know? 
. They're in a really tough spot and hotels aren't an ideal solution 
. But, at least the government is trying to find more permanent solutions 
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, especially ahead of the next general election 
. Will there be changes to immigration policies? Only time will tell 
.
i feel bad for people who wanna come to uk but dont know what to do 
... like back in 2012 when the coalition government introduced those immigration caps, I thought it was going to make a big difference 
. But this recent decline in net migration is crazy! Like, what's next? The UK becoming less diverse and multicultural? I mean, we've always been a nation of immigrants, right? 
. its all about work-life balance now & ppl dont wanna come 2 uk 2 pick up minimum wage jobs. plus whats wrong wit ppl from eu countries contributin more than they take out? sounds like british ppl r just complainin bout everythin lol 
. But, let's be real, it's not like the UK is going to become a ghost town anytime soon. They need those foreign workers for the economy, and if they can't get them in, that's gonna affect businesses big time. The experts are right, this trend won't last – EU citizens are still gonna come and go, but maybe they'll take some of their friends with them? And asylum seekers? Yeah, we need to figure out a better way to handle those cases without putting 'em up in hotels that are more like luxury condos 
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It makes sense that EU citizens are leaving and non-EU nationals arent coming in as much, considering the new rules about work and student visas 
. But experts say this trend might not last forever, so it'll be interesting to see what happens when those EU citizens who arrived before Brexit start leaving 
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. I think we need some better solutions than just pushing the problem under the rug. Maybe we should focus on helping those seeking refuge instead of trying to control migration numbers