MAKERFIELD — Net migration to the United Kingdom almost halved to 171,000 in the year to December 2025, its lowest level since early 2021, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The total was down from 331,000 in the previous 12 months.

An estimated 813,000 people immigrated to the U.K. during the period, while 642,000 emigrated. Net migration peaked at 944,000 in the year to March 2023.

"Net migration continues to fall and is at levels last seen in early 2021 when the new immigration system was introduced and Covid-19 pandemic travel restrictions were still in place. The recent decrease is being driven by fewer people arriving from outside the EU, particularly for work. While emigration had been increasing, there are early signs it may now be starting to fall, though it is too soon to say whether this will continue." said Sarah Crofts, deputy director of the Office for National Statistics.

In 2025, 627,000 people from outside the EU moved to the U.K. and 278,000 left. Among EU-plus countries, 76,000 immigrated and 118,000 emigrated. The number of British citizens emigrating was 246,000, down from 257,000 in 2024 and broadly stable compared with recent years.

The figures followed a series of policy changes. In January 2024, new rules meant most overseas students were no longer able to bring family members to the U.K., and in March 2024 those restrictions were extended to care workers. Income thresholds for skilled worker visas and family visas were introduced in April 2024. In July 2025, the Labour government ended overseas recruitment for care workers and raised the salary threshold for skilled worker visas.

"Net migration has fallen by 82 per cent in just three years. We will always welcome those who contribute to this country and wish to build a better life here. But we must restore order and control to our borders." Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the emigration of British citizens had been a key factor in the reduction of net migration and called for further migration reforms. "British citizens are leaving the UK on a massive scale, driven away by Labour's high taxes. Yet non-EU immigration, mainly from low-income counties, remains far too high. Mass low-skill immigration undermines our society and low wage immigration is bad for the economy." Philp said.

At the end of March 2026, 20,885 asylum seekers were housed temporarily in U.K. hotels, down 35% from 32,326 a year earlier, according to Home Office figures. That was the lowest figure since data was first reported in 2022.