New data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that net migration to the UK fell to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025 – a 70% decrease compared with the previous 12 months and the lowest level recorded since 2021.
The figures reflect significant reductions in long-term immigration, particularly among non-EU nationals coming to the UK for work and study, alongside a continued rise in emigration – especially among EU nationals and British citizens.
Commenting on the data in People Management, Kasia Kingsmill, Partner and Head of Immigration at Brecher, noted that the sharp fall is “the predictable effect of policy changes filtering through the system, rather than a broader shift in migration behaviour”. She added that what matters now is ensuring that migration policy “supports the UK economy” rather than focusing solely on headline numbers.
The full People Management article is available here: https://www.peoplemanagement.co.uk/article/1941436/net-migration-uk-drops-two-thirds-ons-data-shows
