As the UK faces increasing pressure on housing and public services, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show net migration has dropped to its lowest level in several years. The total net migration for the year ending June 2025 was 204,000, down from 649,000 in the previous year, marking the most significant drop since 2021. Experts suggest that this decline is the result of several factors, including fewer non-EU nationals coming for work and study, alongside rising numbers of people leaving the UK.
The Decline in Work and Study Migration
The most prominent driver of the fall in net migration is a sharp drop in the number of individuals arriving for work or study. According to the ONS, the number of non-EU nationals arriving for work or educational purposes has significantly decreased. This trend is attributed to changes in the UK’s visa and immigration policies, particularly those introduced after Brexit. The number of work and study visas granted has dropped by 57% from the previous year, with the closure of the health and social care visa route in mid-2025 being a key factor.
The reduction in study visa arrivals is particularly notable. Fewer international students are coming to the UK with family dependents, as government policies have made it more difficult for students to bring relatives. This change has led to a steep decline in the number of study-related dependents, falling from 123,000 in 2023 to just 13,000 in 2025, according to Migration Observatory data.
The government’s position, outlined by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, is that these policy changes were necessary to reduce pressure on local communities and services. She stated that net migration is now at its “lowest level in half a decade” and promised further reforms to ensure that migrants contribute more to the country than they take.
A Rise in Asylum Seekers and Small Boat Crossings
While work and study migration have plummeted, the number of asylum seekers arriving in the UK has risen sharply, reaching a record high. Figures from the Home Office show that over 110,000 people claimed asylum in the year to September 2025, marking a significant increase. A related issue is the continued use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers, with over 36,000 people temporarily housed in this way as of September 2025. This number is up by 2% from the previous year, though it is still lower than the peak of over 56,000 seen in September 2023.
One of the more controversial aspects of the asylum system is the increase in small boat crossings. According to the Home Office, 45,659 individuals crossed the English Channel in small boats in the 12 months to September 2025, a rise of 53% compared to the previous year. This uptick is particularly concerning for the government, as it continues to face pressure to curb illegal migration and reduce the use of asylum hotels.
The prime minister’s spokesperson acknowledged that the number of small boat crossings is too high, and significant efforts are underway to address the issue, including the use of military bases to house asylum seekers temporarily. Despite this, the situation remains a sensitive political issue, with both government officials and opposition leaders calling for a more comprehensive approach to managing migration.
The sharp drop in net migration to the UK in 2025 highlights the impact of changing immigration policies post-Brexit and growing political concerns over migration. While the reduction in work and study migration reflects tighter visa controls, the rise in asylum seekers and small boat crossings poses new challenges for the government.
