According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration in the UK hit a new record high in 2022, leading Rishi Sunak to express his apprehension over the levels. The data revealed that the country’s overall population increased by 606,000 due to immigration. The ONS attributed the rise to an increase in arrivals from outside the EU, particularly individuals coming on student and work visas, as well as participants in the Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes.
While the Prime Minister stressed that migration was not spiraling out of control, these figures present a political challenge for Mr. Sunak. Over the past decade, Conservative-led governments have repeatedly promised to reduce net migration. However, with the absence of specific targets in their 2019 manifesto, the current data highlights the need for action.
The ONS confirmed that an estimated 1.2 million people arrived in the UK in 2022, while 557,000 individuals left during the same period. As a result, net migration stood at 606,000, a significant increase of 164,000 compared to the previous year.
During an interview on ITV’s This Morning, Mr. Sunak acknowledged that the numbers were too high and expressed his determination to bring them down. Although he rejected claims of immigration being out of control, he acknowledged the need for effective measures.
To address the issue, stricter visa rules for overseas students have been introduced, allowing only those on post-graduate research programs to bring their families to the UK starting from next year. The aim is to curb net migration by reducing the number of long-term stays among student visa holders.
The ONS report revealed that nearly 40% of the 925,000 non-EU nationals who arrived in the UK in 2022 did so on student visas. However, the ONS also noted that students typically do not stay long term, with most leaving upon completing their courses. The proposed changes have raised concerns within the Russell Group, an association representing top UK universities, as they fear the impact on attracting international students and the financial contribution they make to the British higher education system.
The significant increase in net migration was primarily driven by the surge in work-related arrivals from non-EU countries, which nearly doubled from 137,000 to 235,000 within a year. Surprisingly, net migration continued to rise despite Brexit, with more EU nationals leaving the UK (202,000) than arriving (151,000). Additionally, resettlement schemes implemented in response to global events played a substantial role in the increase, with non-EU nationals arriving through humanitarian routes rising from 9% to 19% in 2022. Notably, 114,000 Ukrainians and 52,000 Hong Kong citizens were beneficiaries of these special visa schemes.
Yvette Cooper, Labour’s shadow home secretary, criticized the government for failing to address skills shortages, particularly in health and social care, and for the inadequate reintegration of individuals into the workforce after the pandemic. Immigration minister Robert Jenrick expressed concerns about the strain high net migration places on public services, housing supply, and the country’s ability to integrate newcomers. He emphasized the importance of British employers focusing on training British workers to fill vacancies and called on universities to prioritize teaching rather than inadvertently facilitating avenues for immigration status.
