New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a sharp drop in the number of people migrating to the UK. The reports show that net migration has fallen by 20%. The difference between those who arrived in the country fell by 86,000 to 3,45,000. It was previously 4,31,000.
The main reason for this change is that the number of British citizens leaving the country is much higher than expected. According to the new method, while 2,57,000 British citizens left the country, 1,43,000 returned.
This means that the net migration of British citizens is 1,14,000 less. The change in the figure is due to the revision of the method by which the ONS determines migration figures. The old system of questioning passengers at airports and ports has been discontinued. Instead, the new figures are prepared by checking how active people are on tax and benefit records. Dr. Madeleine Sumption points out.
Meanwhile , the new figures are also not complete, and many have already pointed out the flaw that a person living in the country but disappearing from tax records because they are living on their savings could be considered to have left the country.
The new figures have also accelerated the government’s moves to overhaul the asylum system. New proposals, announced in parliament by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week, aim to review refugee status more frequently and limit entitlements to benefits. The ONS report also shows that total UK immigration fell from 2.6 million to 2.5 million between 2021 and 2024.
