The number of foreign workers and students moving to the United Kingdom has plummeted by nearly 30 per cent this year, according to new figures released by the Home Office.
The drop, from 121,000 to 85,200 in the first five months of this year, aligns with both the Conservative and Labour parties’ promises to reduce net migration.
This marks the largest decline since the pandemic, with skilled workers, students, and health and care visa holders comprising the bulk of migration to the UK.
These three groups, along with their dependents, accounted for a total of 1.13 million visas issued last year.
The Telegraph reports that the decline is largely attributed to measures implemented by the government, including restrictions on foreign workers and students bringing dependants, increased salary thresholds for skilled workers, and curbs on the shortage of occupation visa schemes.
According to the data, net migration stands at 685,000 for the year ending December 2023, down from a record high of 764,000 in the previous year.
The Conservative government aims to reduce immigration by 300,000, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowing to “halve” migration and reduce it further each year if re-elected.
Labour’s manifesto also pledges to reduce net migration, although the party has not specified a target or timeline. The party proposes to link training to immigration, requiring sectors applying for foreign worker visas to first train British citizens.
Home Secretary James Cleverly attributed the decline to his actions, stating, “I took action to drive down legal migration.
“Data released this week show visa applications have dropped 30 per cent amongst key routes. Labour opposed these actions at every opportunity. If you want to reduce migration, vote Conservative on 4th July,” he said in a tweet on his X handle.
The Migration Advisory Committee chairman, Prof Brian Bell, believes the Prime Minister has a “fighting chance” of reducing net migration to pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year.
The figures indicate a significant drop in visa applications across various categories, including a 25.4 per cent overall decrease in visas for foreign workers, students, and their dependants.
The number of dependents brought in by students fell by nearly 80 per cent, while health and care worker visa applications decreased by 75.6 per cent.
This development comes ahead of the July 4 election, with immigration policy playing a crucial role in the campaigns of both major parties.