Net migration to the UK falls by nearly 50 percent amid tighter policies

Net migration to the United Kingdom fell to 171,000 in the 12 months to the end of December, down from 331,000 a year earlier. Long-term net migration nearly halved in 2025, reaching levels last seen before the post-Brexit immigration system was introduced. The decline followed tougher government measures that restricted arrivals. Immigration, including both legal and illegal routes, has dominated political debate for more than a decade, with successive governments tightening visa rules and raising salary thresholds. The current government pledged further changes, including skills-based migration aimed at rewarding contribution and reducing reliance on cheap overseas workers. Some research suggested public belief did not match the fall. Employers and economists raised concerns about labour shortages, especially in care and hospitality.

"The ONS says net migration fell to 171,000 in the 12 months to the end of December from 331,000 a year earlier. Long-term net migration to the United Kingdom nearly halved in 2025, falling to levels last seen before the post-Brexit immigration system was introduced, as tougher government measures enacted in recent years restricted arrivals. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday that net migration fell to 171,000 in the 12 months to the end of December from 331,000 a year earlier, extending a sharp decline from a record peak of 944,000 in 2023."

"Immigration both legal and illegal has dominated political debate in the for more than a decade, with successive governments imposing stricter visa rules and higher salary thresholds. The current government has pledged to go further. The British Future think tank said the country was experiencing one of the sharpest falls in net migration on record, but that most people believed the opposite, according to its research. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood welcomed the progress from tighter policies, but said that there was still work to do."

"We will always welcome those who contribute to this country and wish to build a better life here. But we must restore order and control to our borders, she said, adding that the government's new skills-based migration would reward contribution and end reliance on cheap overseas workers. On Saturday, far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew tens of thousands of people in London to attend his unite the kingdom march. Islamophobic and ethnonationalist hate flyers were reportedly distributed to the crowds."

"Meanwhile, employers and economists have raised concerns about labour shortages, particularly in sectors such as care and hospitality. The ONS said long-term net migration was now clos"

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