Net Migration to UK Nearly Halved in 2025 as Government Pushes Skills-Based System

Migration had added 171,000 people to the UK’s population during the last year. According to new data, that amounts to almost 50% of the number seen during the previous year of ’24.

This figure is at its lowest level since 14 years back in ’12. This figure excludes the period of the Covid pandemic that occurred a decade later. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has meanwhile commented that there was still ‘more to do’.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has revealed that 93,525 people claimed asylum in the UK during the period ending March ’26. This is 12% lower than the year prior in ’24. However, this figure is still more than double the pre-pandemic levels.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that the statistics reflect that the government was ‘restoring order & control to the UK’s borders’. This was while her counterpart, Chris Philp, argued that Labour may need to go further.

The ONS said that net migration continued to fall to levels last seen in early ’21. The period was when new immigration systems were introduced, as well as when Covid travel restrictions were in practice.

ONS deputy director Sarah Crofts opined that ‘the recent decrease is driven by fewer people arriving from outside the EU, particularly for employment.’

Following this release, the Home Office published on X: the UK’s ending its previous reliance on overseas labour. This may ensure migrants contribute more than they take. It’s also led to increased removals of illegal migrants besides foreign criminals.’

Premier Sir Keir Starmer opined that the data reflected that his government was delivering, adding that ‘hebelieves that there’s more to do.’ The UK’s in the process of introducing a skills-based migration system. That may reward contribution and also end the UK’s reliance on cheaper overseas labour.’

There were policy changes from 2 years back early ’24. This was under the former Conservative government. This is likely to have made an impact on the net migration values. The Labour government has retained most measures while, in some cases, expanding on them.