Net migration to UK fell sharply in 2024, latest figures show
IndependentDEC 1 2024
UK Net Migration Falls 20%, Previous Statistics Revised Upwards
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 Images
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.