UK Net Migration Falls 20%, Previous Statistics Revised Upwards

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Nov 28, 2024

Above: A member UK Border Force patrols at Heathrow Airport in London on July 16, 2019, part of Operation Limelight, a national multi-agency safeguarding operation at the UK border that focuses on harmful practices. Image copyright: DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Imagesstory last updated Nov 28

The Facts

Initial estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show net UK migration was 728K in the year to June 2024, marking a 20% reduction from the revised figure of 906K in the twelve months prior. Total arrivals sat at 1.2M, while 479K people left the UK during this period.
The ONS revised previous migration figures upward, with the year to June 2023 increasing by 166K to reach a record high. The ONS attributed this year's reduction to a decline in student visa dependents, a decrease in people arriving for "work-related reasons," and post-pandemic international students finishing their courses.

The Spin

Left narrative

Keir Starmer’s pragmatic stance on migration focuses on rational policymaking and international cooperation, including with Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, to address irregular migration while upholding human rights. Yet Britain’s migration debate often overlooks economic realities, with evidence showing that immigration boosts growth, fills skill gaps, and reduces borrowing. Labour must prioritize a balanced, long-term migration strategy that supports the economy, moving beyond headline-driven rhetoric and short-term electoral considerations.

Right narrative

Despite a positive 20% reduction in net migration thanks to Tory-era policies, current levels remain unacceptably high, with the ONS now revising past figures to reveal hundreds of thousands more migrants than previously estimated. This underscores the urgent need for a new approach: a strict cap on numbers, prioritizing high-skill, high-wage workers. Labour's cancellation of the Rwanda deterrent has compounded the issue, contributing to a rise in illegal crossings and undermining efforts to control migration effectively.