UK Net Migration Hits New Record High in 2022 in Latest Blow for Sunak
Annual net migration to the United Kingdom reached a record high of 745,000 in 2022, according to new data released on Thursday. This surge in migration comes as a setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has been under pressure to take action to reduce it in light of the upcoming election. The issue of high levels of legal migration has long been a dominating factor in British politics and is expected to become a key battleground once again.
Sunak’s flagship policy aimed at addressing illegal arrivals suffered a major setback last week when a court ruled that a plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful. With this blow, the Prime Minister faces increasing pressure to fulfill his promises to reduce both illegal and legal migration, as voters express concerns about the strain on public services and housing shortages.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revised the net migration figure for the year ending December 2022 to 745,000, a significant increase of 139,000 from its previous estimate. Furthermore, the net migration number for the year ending June 2023 stood at 672,000, rising from 607,000 the previous year.
The majority of immigration to the UK now involves non-EU nationals, with the increase in the year leading up to June primarily driven by migrants coming for work, particularly to fill labor shortages in the health and social care sectors. The data also revealed that a significant proportion of non-EU nationals coming to study in the UK are choosing to stay longer and transition to work visas.
According to the ONS, the top three non-EU nationalities for immigration in the year leading up to June were Indian, Nigerian, and Chinese. This highlights the diverse range of countries contributing to the UK’s net migration figures.
In response to these results, Interior Minister James Cleverly reinforced the government’s commitment to reducing levels of legal migration and eliminating abuse of the visa system. However, former Conservative minister Simon Clarke argues for a more urgent change in approach, emphasizing that the current level of legal immigration is unsustainable both economically and socially.
The ONS data also noted a decline in the number of people arriving via humanitarian routes, such as special schemes for individuals from Ukraine and Hong Kong, which had contributed to the increase in figures over the past two years.
Although the government may view the drop from 745,000 to 672,000 as evidence of successful policies to decrease migration, the ONS highlighted that it is too early to determine whether the numbers have peaked.
The opposition Labour Party’s home affairs spokesperson, Yvette Cooper, criticized the Conservative Party for their immigration and asylum policies, stating that the figures demonstrate a lack of control and a lack of economic planning.
The latest data reveals the complex challenge facing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he grapples with addressing the ongoing labor shortages in the country while striving to fulfill his promises of reducing both illegal and legal migration. As the upcoming election approaches, the issue of migration is set to remain at the forefront of the political landscape.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on data provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and statements from relevant government officials.
