Net migration to the United Kingdom has dropped below 200,000 for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that net migration stood at 196,000 in the year ending June 2024, down from 764,000 in the previous 12 months.
The decline is largely attributed to a sharp reduction in non-EU arrivals, particularly students and health workers, following tighter visa rules introduced by the government. The number of non-EU nationals arriving for study fell by 30%, while work-related visas also saw a significant decrease.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said the figures show the government's plan to reduce migration is working. He added that the government remains committed to attracting the 'brightest and best' while ensuring the immigration system is fair and sustainable.
However, critics argue that the drop is mainly due to administrative changes rather than a genuine shift in migration patterns. Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the government has 'lost control' of the system and called for a more strategic approach to manage migration.
The ONS noted that emigration of non-EU nationals also increased, contributing to the net migration fall. The figures cover a period before the government's recent crackdown on student dependants, which is expected to further reduce numbers.
