Indians and Pakistanis rank among the top five non-EU nationalities moving to the UK for work or study, recent data reveals.
Net migration to the UK hit an unprecedented high of over 900,000 in 2023, far exceeding initial estimates, according to official data. However, stricter visa regulations have begun to reduce the influx of new arrivals.
In the year ending June 2024, most non-EU immigrants coming to the UK for work (116,000) or study (127,000) were from India, as per data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday (28).
The top five non-EU nationalities immigrating to the UK in the period were Indians (240,000), Nigerians (120,000), Pakistanis (101,000), Chinese (78,000), and Zimbabweans (36,000).
Immigration remains a divisive political issue in the UK. While many voters express concerns over the strain on public services, sectors such as healthcare emphasize the necessity of foreign workers to meet critical labor demands.
The ONS reported a net migration figure of 906,000 for the year ending June 2023, revised up from a previous estimate of 740,000. These represent “unprecedented levels” since 2021.
However, net migration for the year ending June 2024 fell by 20% to 728,000, attributed largely to a reduction in dependents arriving with study visa holders after policy changes.
The significant adjustment in 2023 figures stems from improved data collection, including more detailed information on Ukrainian visas, the ONS explained.
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration rules. “No longer will employers be able to flout the rules with little consequence or exploit international workers for costs they were always supposed to pay if they choose not to recruit domestically,” she added.
The ruling Conservative Party, which promised to lower migration numbers when it won the 2019 election under Boris Johnson, has faced criticism for failing to meet this pledge. The party had argued that Brexit would enable the UK to regain control over its borders.
Despite leaving the European Union in January 2020, migration levels have risen sharply, with net migration at 488,000 in 2021.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the government, stating, “Immigration remains far too high, putting pressure on housing, public services, and social cohesion.” He called for stricter border controls and prioritized support for British workers and families.
The Labour government also announced plans to penalize employers who violate visa rules or underpay foreign workers, extending sanctions to a maximum of two years under a new Employment Rights Bill currently under parliamentary review.
As of 2024, over 33,500 undocumented migrants have crossed the English Channel into the UK on dangerous vessels, a rise of 18% compared to the same period in 2023, although numbers have decreased compared to 2022.
High migration levels were a key factor in the 2016 Brexit referendum. While post-Brexit visa policies have significantly reduced EU migration, new rules have fueled immigration from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, primarily to fill gaps in the health and social care sectors.
Ahead of the ONS data release, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch admitted that her party had “got it wrong” on immigration, acknowledging its impact on public services and integration challenges.
She outlined a new approach, including a “strict numerical cap” on migration if the Conservatives win the next election, though she did not specify the cap’s details.
Labour criticized the Conservatives for allowing migration to “spiral out of control” during their tenure.
Badenoch also signaled potential policy changes, including stricter criteria for obtaining British citizenship and a zero-tolerance stance on foreign criminals. While dismissing the possibility of reviving the scrapped Rwanda deportation scheme, she emphasized the need for a strong deterrent against illegal migration. Photo by Steve Cadman, Wikimedia commons.