A sharp decline in net migration to Britain
London, November 28 (QNA) – Data issued by the British Office for National Statistics showed that net migration to the United Kingdom decreased by two-thirds by the end of June 2025 compared to the previous twelve months.
The data indicate that the difference between the number of people arriving into the country and those leaving it amounted to two hundred and four thousand people, down from 649 thousand people. This decline is mainly due to the decrease in the number of people arriving for work and study purposes, according to the office.
This comes at a time when Ministry of Interior figures show that the number of asylum seekers by the end of September 2025 reached a record level of 110,000 people.
The figures also show that the number of asylum seekers staying in hotels until September increased by 2% compared to the same period last year.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a press statement that the decrease in net migration represents a “step in the right direction.”
The number of arrivals via small boats to Britain increased by 53% compared to the previous year, with 45,659 people arriving via this route in the 12 months to September 2025. The Home Office indicates that this number is close to the 2022 peak of 45,774.
The ONS figures for net migration include those who have applied for asylum after entering the country via regular and irregular routes, as well as other forms of migration. It concerns people who have changed their place of residence for 12 months or more.
The total number witnessed a sharp decline until June 2025, in parallel with a decline of approximately 70% in the number of arrivals from countries outside the European Union on worker and student visas for dependents.
Commenting on the net migration figures, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmoud said that the government will take further steps, noting the pressure that migration causes on local communities.
She added: “Net migration is at its lowest level in half a decade, and has fallen by more than two-thirds under this government, and last week I announced reforms to the immigration system to ensure that whoever comes here must contribute and give more than they get.”
Earlier this month, the minister presented proposals to reform the legal immigration system, including changes to the time required for some immigrants to obtain permanent residency.
