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Net migration hit record 906,000 last year, revised figures show Net migration hit record 906,000 last year, revised figures show
(30 minutes later)
Net migration into the UK hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023 - higher than previously thought, official figures show. Net migration into the UK hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, much higher than previously estimated, official figures show.
The measure for the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the UK then dropped an estimated 20% in the 12 months to June this year to a now estimated 728,000. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) originally said it was 740,000 but has now revised this figure upwards by 166,000.
ONS director director Mary Gregory said: "While remaining high by historic standards, net migration is now beginning to fall and is provisionally down 20% in the 12 months to June 2024." The ONS said it had significantly underestimated the number of immigrants staying in the UK for longer than 12 months and had now improved its processes.
The revisions are as a result of the ONS continuing to review its net migration figures as more complete data becomes available, it said. Annual net migration - the difference between those entering and leaving the country - now stands at 728,000.
The ONS said net migration has been running at historically high levels because of the war in Ukraine and post-Brexit visa rules, which were brought in by Boris Johnson's government.
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But the revision of last year's figure is significant - the previous estimate was 740,000, suggesting an undercount of 166,000. The numbers have gone down in the past year because of tighter visa rules brought in by the Conservatives under Rishi Sunak, the official statistics show.
The ONS now says 82,000 more people came to live in the UK than they previously thought and 84,000 fewer people left the country.The ONS now says 82,000 more people came to live in the UK than they previously thought and 84,000 fewer people left the country.
Other reasons given by the office include more information on Ukraine visas, and improvements to the process for estimating migration of non-EU+ nationals.Other reasons given by the office include more information on Ukraine visas, and improvements to the process for estimating migration of non-EU+ nationals.
The ONS said that the numbers were still "official statistics in development", meaning that they may be revised in the future as more data becomes available.The ONS said that the numbers were still "official statistics in development", meaning that they may be revised in the future as more data becomes available.
Separately, Home Office spending on the asylum system rose by £1.43 billion in 2023/24 to stand at £5.38 billion - a 36% rise year-on-year, according to the Press Association news agency.Separately, Home Office spending on the asylum system rose by £1.43 billion in 2023/24 to stand at £5.38 billion - a 36% rise year-on-year, according to the Press Association news agency.
The total covers all Home Office asylum costs, including direct cash support and accommodation, plus wider staffing and other related migration and border activity, the PA news agency said.
It does not include the cost of operations responding to Channel crossings, intercepting migrants as they make the journey to the UK.