Net migration to UK down by half in 2024 compared with year before

The sharp decline was caused by reduced immigration from non-EU countries for work and study visas and increased emigration from the UK, the ONS said. Illustration: Islandstock/Alamy

Net migration to the UK has nearly halved over the year to 431,000, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said, publishing figures that will bring some relief to Keir Starmer.

The drop from 860,000 in the year to December 2024 follows a series of policies implemented by the last Conservative government that have been continued by the present Labour government.