Net migration is 4 times higher than it was 5 years ago, driven by record levels of overseas recruitment as the government acts to bring numbers down
The government has today made clear its commitment to bring down historically high levels of net migration as new statistics released today show net migration grew almost 5 times higher in the space of 4 years to a record level of almost one million and is still 4 times higher than it was before the pandemic.
Order is being restored to a broken immigration system. Upon taking office, the Home Secretary set out a new approach to end the over-reliance on international recruitment and boost economic growth to link the UK’s immigration, labour market, and skills systems to train up our homegrown workforce. At the same time, she also confirmed that changes made to key visa routes earlier this year would remain in place to drive down levels further.
Since early July, enforced returns of foreign offenders and failed asylum seekers are at their highest level in half a decade, up nearly 30% on the same period last year, in the first 3 months of the new administration, as the government delivers on plans to ramp up the removal of those with no right to be here.
This includes a 25% increase in foreign criminals removed compared to last year – sending a clear message to criminals that if you break the law, you will not be allowed to stay. Those removed were guilty of a range of offences, including drug offences, theft, rape and murder.
Figures published today also show a collapse in asylum decisions in the first half of 2024. By the time the new government took over in July, asylum decisions were down over 70% and asylum interviews were down over 80% compared to the start of the year. Since then, the government has taken immediate action to accelerate asylum decision-making and increase returns of those with no right to stay.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:
The fall in net migration comes as the government set out today further plans to bolster the immigration system by targeting those who abuse it. The new crackdown will see unscrupulous employers, who repeatedly flout visa rules or commit serious employment breaches, barred from hiring from overseas as they have their visa sponsorship licenses refused or revoked.
The government yesterday confirmed all eligible non-Europeans visitors can now apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) and will need one to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025. ETAs will enhance border security whilst making travel more efficient. Eligible Europeans can apply for an ETA from 5 March 2025 to travel to the UK from 2 April 2025.