Net migration halves in a year in huge boost to Keir Starmer

Net migration has halved in a year in a huge boost to .

Data released this morning revealed the figure was 431,000 in the year to December 2024 - down from 860,000 12 months earlier. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows 948,000 people came to live in the UK last year, while 517,000 went to live overseas - an 11% rise.

Mr Starmer has vowed to drive down net migration, which peaked at over 900,000 under the Tories.

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Last week a long-awaited white paper revealed a string of measures aimed at achieving this, including scrapping social care visas. There are also new English language and qualification requirments in order to qualify for a skilled worker visa.

It is estimate the Government's policies will cut a further 100,000 from long-term arrivals in the UK. The ONS data shows a rise in the number of people claiming asylum - rising from 80,000 to 95,000.

Separate data released by the Home Office shows there were 44,000 irregular arrivals in the year to March this year, with small boats accounting for 86%.

Afghans were the most common nationality among small boat arrivals - accounting for 16%.

Before the Tories came into government in 2010, then-leader vowed to ensure net migration was in the "tens of thousands".

The latest drop was driven by a fall in the number of people coming to work and study in the UK. There was a 49% decrease in the number of non-EU+ nationals arriving as the main applicant on a work visa.

And there was a 35% fall in those coming as work dependants. The number of non-EU+ nationals arriving as main applicants on a study visa dropped by 17%. And there a massive 86% drop in study dependants as after a crackdown by the previous government.