The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has provided preliminary figures that show a 20% decline in long-term net immigration in the UK. In June 2024, there were 728,000 immigrants, down from 906,000 in the previous year. In June 2024, 240,000 Indians were registered for long-term immigration to the UK, making them the largest group of non-EU migrants, topping both employment and study visa categories.

The 906,000 arrivals in the year ending June 2023, however, have angered British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has promised tougher immigration laws. Starmer attacked the previous Conservative government for the high immigration rate.

Starmer criticised the Conservatives for their immigration policies, calling them an "open borders experiment" and blaming them for an "incredible legacy failure".

“Time and again the Conservative Party promised they would get the numbers down. Time and again they failed. This isn’t just bad luck or a global trend—it’s a different order of failure. This happened by design, not accident,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

Former Conservative ministers defended their record, by highlighting the 20% drop in migration.

The ONS also revealed that while net migration dropped by 20% to 728,000 in the year ending June 2024, the scale of the previous year's figures remains a pressing concern.

INDIANS DOMINATE MIGRATION IN UK

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that Indians remain the largest group of non-EU migrants, leading in both student and work visa categories.

"Indian was the most common nationality for non-EU+ immigration for both work-related (116,000) and study-related (127,000) reasons in YE (year ending) June 2024,” the ONS states.

Indian students have traditionally favoured the UK for higher education, especially at the master’s level, with 81% of those granted visas in the latest year pursuing postgraduate studies.

The rise in student migration is partly linked to the Graduate Route visa introduced in 2021, which allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years (three years for PhD graduates) after completing their studies.

The post-study visa programme, which is dominated by Indian graduates, is helping UK universities recover from financial losses and expand research opportunities.

The ONS also noted that Indians, along with Nigerians and Zimbabweans, had low proportions of "early leavers"—individuals who leave the UK before staying at least 12 months. By contrast, Chinese students showed higher rates of early departures.

CRACKDOWN ON EMPLOYERS AND VISA ABUSE

Starmer outlined plans to reduce dependence on overseas workers and address immigration drivers, while refusing to impose an "arbitrary cap".

“I want to see immigration come down significantly. That means bearing down on the influences that have driven it up this high,” said Starmer.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship Seema Malhotra announced tougher penalties for employers violating visa rules.

“We committed in our manifesto to ensure those who abuse our immigration system face the strongest possible consequences,” she said.

Under new rules, employers who breach visa regulations will face sanctions for at least two years and be required to bear all costs associated with hiring foreign workers.

TORY MINISTER SAYS IMMIGRATION NUMBER CHANGES FOLLOW THEIR EFFORTS

Former Conservative ministers defended their record by highlighting the 20% drop in migration in the year ending June 2024.

“A 20 per cent drop in immigration since June 2023 is a result of the changes I fought for and introduced in May 2023,” said Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, reported The Independent.

Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch, however, admitted past Conservative mistakes. She said, “It is right that I accept responsibility and say truthfully we got it wrong. Under my leadership, we will tighten access to British passports and have zero tolerance for foreign criminals staying in the UK.”

The Labour government’s approach is set to include stricter controls on visa abuse and reforms aimed at reducing record migration levels while maintaining fairness in the system