UK Net Migration Falls 10% in 2023
Official figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal a 10% decrease in net migration to the UK in 2023 compared to the previous year, following a record high in 2022. Despite this decline, net migration remains substantially higher than levels seen in 2019, raising pertinent questions as immigration takes center stage in the upcoming general election.
Net Migration Trends:
The ONS reports a net migration figure of 685,000 for the year ending December 2023, marking a notable decrease from 764,000 in 2022. However, the ONS emphasizes that it is premature to ascertain if this indicates a sustained downward trend. The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford notes that net migration remains at unusually high levels.
Political Implications:
With Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for a general election on July 4th, immigration emerges as a pivotal issue. Despite the decrease, net migration remains more than three times higher than pre-election promises made by the Conservatives in 2019. Home Secretary James Cleverly suggests that government measures, including increased minimum salary requirements for skilled overseas workers, are contributing to the decline. However, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticizes the Conservative Party for failing to deliver on immigration promises.
Migration Drivers:
Work emerges as the primary driver of migration in 2023, with a significant increase in non-EU immigration for work reasons. The ONS indicates a rise from 277,000 to 423,000 in non-EU work-related immigration from 2022 to 2023. India and Nigeria account for a substantial portion of these migrants, particularly in the health and social care sectors.
Visa Issuance Discrepancy:
A noteworthy revelation is the disparity between work visas issued to foreign workers and visas issued to their accompanying family members. Despite record levels of work-related non-EU immigration, the Home Office reports a decline in visas issued to health and care workers in early 2024, a trend not reflected in the ONS data.
