The United Kingdom (UK) reached a record net migration figure of 906,000 in 2023, the highest in its history.
However, tighter immigration policies introduced by the Conservative Government in 2024 led to a 20 percent decrease by mid-year.
The current Labour Government, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is now promising further reforms to the immigration system.
UK net migration reaches historic peak in 2023
Net migration, or the number of people moving to the country, had greatly exceeded those leaving it.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, net migration in the UK hit 906,000 by the year ending June 2023.
This represented a fourfold increase compared to 184,000 people who moved to the UK in the same period of 2019.
The ONS reported that the upward revision was due to new information about arrivals from Ukraine and existing residents securing long-term visas.
Of the 1.2 million who came to live in the UK, 86 percent were non-European Union (non-EU) nationals for work, study, or family reunification.
Of this number, 845,000 were of working age, and 179,000 were children or under 18 years old.
Many migrants came from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, reflecting new visa routes opened post-Brexit.
These new routes aimed to address labor shortages in sectors such as healthcare and technology.
However, the unprecedented number also raised questions about the impact on housing, public services, and infrastructure.
Policy changes see a decline in net migration
Due to the record-high migration numbers, the Conservative Government announced stricter immigration policies in December 2023.
The previous administration gradually implemented these new measures during the first half of 2024.
It included limits on dependants accompanying international students and health and care workers.
Another measure saw increased general salary thresholds for skilled workers seeking visas.
These changes have already seen UK net migration fall by 20 percent by mid-2024.
This brings the net migration figure down to approximately 724,800 as of June 2024.
While it’s a step in the right direction, many critics warn that more must be done to control numbers.
UK Labour Government pledges more balanced reforms
Prime Minister Starmer called the significant increase in the UK net migration as “shocking,”
“This happened by design, not accident,” he said in his speech on 28 November as the latest ONS data was published.
Starmer remarked that Brexit, which refers to the UK’s exit from the EU in 2020, was used as a justification to experiment with open borders.
Since taking office in 2024, he has pledged to reform the points-based immigration system introduced post-Brexit.
This aims to ensure that overseas workers using visa routes will come with new expectations for training individuals in our country.
“The UK cannot rely on immigration alone to solve our economic challenges,” Starmer said in his speech.
“We will reform the system and ensure businesses invest in local talent while maintaining strict controls over entry,” he stressed.
His plan aims to reduce dependency on foreign labor by encouraging businesses to train domestic workers.
Starmer has also emphasized the importance of balancing economic needs with public sentiment on migration.
The Home Office also announced its commitment to reducing high net migration and fixing the “broken” immigration system.
“Migration has always been an important part of UK history and our economy, but the system needs to be properly managed and controlled.” Home Secretary Yvette Copper said in a news release.
She emphasized that tackling the enormous increase in overseas recruitment over the last few years is crucial.
The high net migration to the UK is also why past government visa reforms are still in place while linking them to skills training.
The Home Office is also delivering a major crackdown on employers who violate working visa policies and abuse other visa rules.
It has also set out plans to address the backlog in asylum claims and return those who have no right to be in the UK.
The UK’s new Border Security Command (BSC) is working to dismantle criminal smugglers and trafficking gangs.
High net migration’s impact on public services
High levels of migration have intensified pressure on the UK’s public services, including housing, healthcare, and education.
In 2023, the government spent £5.38 billion housing asylum seekers, with many living in hotels due to a lack of suitable accommodations.
Critics argue that these costs are unsustainable and that public infrastructure must be expanded to cope with the increased population.
On the other hand, the influx of people to the country has supported vital industries.
For example, the National Health Service (NHS) and tech companies have relied on foreign workers to fill critical labor shortages.
Economists have highlighted that migrants significantly contribute to the UK economy by paying taxes and filling vacant jobs.
Business leaders caution that stricter migration controls could lead to labor shortages in critical sectors, potentially harming the economy.
What’s next for UK migration policies
The Labour Government faces the challenge of addressing public concerns while ensuring the UK remains attractive to skilled workers.
Experts recommend reducing net migration while investing in public infrastructure and improving domestic training programs to achieve balance.
Starmer’s proposed reforms to the points-based system may also offer a middle ground.
However, his administration has so far refused to cap visa numbers, arguing that previous limits provided no meaningful impact.
The UK can align migration policies with economic realities and public expectations by focusing on skills and economic contributions.