By Correspondent
London, UK (News Of The South) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer today declared a significant victory in his government’s efforts to curb net migration, announcing that the latest figures show a near halving of the number in the last year. The dramatic drop, from a high of almost one million under the previous Conservative administration to an estimated 431,000 in the year ending December 2024, has been welcomed by the Labour leader as a sign that the government is “taking back control.”
Speaking on the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, which revealed the largest numerical fall in net migration on record, Starmer highlighted the contrast with the “uncontrolled migration” seen previously, equating the former annual figure to the population of a major city like Birmingham.
“Under the Tories, net migration reached nearly 1 million – roughly the size of the population of Birmingham. I know you are angry about this, and I promised you I would change it,” Starmer stated. “Today’s stats show we have nearly halved net migration in the last year. We’re taking back control.”
The ONS data indicates that the sharp decline is primarily driven by a significant reduction in non-EU nationals coming to the UK for work and study, particularly a substantial fall in dependants accompanying students and workers. Emigration also saw an increase, contributing to the overall drop.
While Starmer’s government has recently unveiled a new immigration White Paper with stricter rules for work and study visas, increased English language requirements, and an extended qualifying period for settlement, it’s important to note that the figures released today largely reflect the impact of measures introduced by the previous Conservative government. Former Home Secretary James Cleverly was quick to claim credit, asserting that the fall was a direct result of policies he implemented, including bans on overseas students and care workers bringing dependants.
However, Labour insists that their comprehensive “Plan for Change” will further embed these reductions. The White Paper, published earlier this month, proposes raising skill requirements for work visas to degree level, ending recruitment of overseas care workers, and extending the settlement period from five to ten years for most categories, with exceptions for those demonstrating “high contributions.”
The news of reduced migration has been met with a mixed reception. While many within the public and political sphere will welcome the lower numbers, some experts and industry leaders have voiced concerns about potential worker shortages, particularly in critical sectors like healthcare and social care. Nadra Ahmed, Chair of the National Care Association, warned that the figures reveal an existing shortage that could be exacerbated by the new policies, putting vulnerable people at risk.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) also cautioned that the government must balance migration cuts with the need to support public services and economic growth. The economic impact of reduced migration will be a key area of scrutiny as the government proceeds with its new immigration framework.
Despite the complexities, Prime Minister Starmer remains resolute, emphasizing that the new system aims to be “controlled, selective, and fair,” ensuring that settlement in the UK is a “privilege that must be earned.” The government’s stated goal is to reduce reliance on overseas labour by investing in and training the domestic workforce, linking migration policy with skills development to boost the British economy.
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