The British government has expressed its commitment to reducing levels of legal migration in response to the recent increase in net migration, which reached 672,000 in the year ending June. Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that the government aims to eliminate the abuse and exploitation of the visa system by both companies and individuals. Measures are being taken to prevent such exploitation, including cracking down on those who take advantage of the flexibility of the immigration system.

Revised figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that net migration for 2022 reached a record-breaking 745,000, with 672,000 people coming to the UK in the 12 months leading up to June 2023. These figures were higher than previously thought, highlighting the need for action to control and reduce migration. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and other Tory backbenchers have called for measures such as an annual cap on net migration, a reduction in health and social care visas, and an increase in the salary threshold for incoming individuals.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under pressure to address the issue of net migration, particularly in light of the 2019 Tory manifesto promise to decrease overall numbers. The government is working on implementing measures to tackle the abuse of the visa system, including raising salary thresholds and revising rules on bringing families to the country. However, striking a balance between economic concerns regarding workforce shortages and immigration control presents a challenge. The ONS noted that most arrivals in the UK in the year to June 2023 were non-EU nationals, with work being the primary reason for migration.

The number of students arriving in the UK has also increased, with more students staying for longer periods. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on migration patterns, and the government is keen to address these shifts by taking action to reduce net migration. The government’s commitment to bringing down migration levels remains firm, despite recent legal challenges and criticisms of policies such as sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. It has pledged to leave no stone unturned in reducing the figure, as this is what the British public expects. The government is determined to take necessary action and make policy changes, even if it means tackling legal obstacles and revisiting international relationships.