UK migration drops to 171,000 - almost half 2024's figure

Getty Images Migration added 171,000 people to the UK population last year, nearly half the number recorded in 2024. The figure is the lowest since 2012, excluding the Covid pandemic, and net migration continued to fall to levels last seen in early 2021. Asylum claims in the year to March 2026 totaled 93,525, down 12% from the previous year but more than double the pre-pandemic level. Fewer arrivals from outside the EU, particularly for work, drove the decrease. Government figures said border control and order were being restored, while ministers pointed to continued work. Policy changes from early 2024, retained and expanded by Labour, included restrictions on overseas students bringing family and limits on care workers bringing dependents, alongside higher salary thresholds.

"Getty Images Migration added 171,000 people to the UK's population last year, almost half the number seen in 2024, according to new Home Office data. The figure is at its lowest level since 2012, excluding the Covid pandemic - but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said there was still "more to do". The data also reveals that 93,525 people claimed asylum in the UK in the year to March 2026 - down 12% on the year prior, but still more than double that seen just before the pandemic."

"The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said net migration continued to fall to levels last seen in early 2021 - when a new immigration system was introduced and Covid travel restrictions were in place. Sarah Crofts, the body's deputy director, said: "The recent decrease is driven by fewer people arriving from outside the EU, particularly for work." Following the release, the Home Office wrote on X: "We are ending Britain's reliance on overseas labour, ensuring migrants contribute more than they take and are increasing the removal of illegal migrants and foreign criminals.""

"Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the statistics showed the government was "restoring order and control to our borders", while her counterpart Chris Philp argued that Labour needed to "go further". Sir Keir said the data showed his government was "delivering", adding: "I know there's more to do, we're introducing a skills-based migration system that rewards contribution and ends our reliance on cheap overseas workers." Policy changes from early 2024 under the former Conservative government are likely to have made an impact on the net migration figures."

"The Labour government has retained the measures and in some cases expanded on them. They include most overseas students being restricted from bringing family members to the UK and care workers being restricted from bringing dependents with them. Ministers also increased the general salary thres""

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