The data also reveals significant movement among British nationals. A total of 109,000 citizens left the country, most of them young workers between the ages of 16 and 34. Only the over-55 age group recorded more returnees than departures, indicating that many older Britons are coming back for retirement.
Asylum Claims Rise as Other Categories Fall
While most migration categories saw a decline, asylum applications reached record levels. Long-term immigration of asylum seekers rose to 96,000, twice the share recorded before Brexit. With relatively few asylum applicants leaving the UK, their contribution to net migration reached 44 percent.
More recent Home Office figures indicate that 110,051 people claimed asylum in the year to September. The increase has pushed the number of people living in hotels to 36,273, higher than when Labour took office, although lower than the 2023 peak. In total, more than 108,000 asylum seekers are living in government-funded accommodation.
More than half of all asylum arrivals entered the UK illegally, including 45,000 by small boat and 12,000 by lorry or without the correct documents. Another 41,000 claimed asylum after entering legally on visas or as visitors, including more than 14,000 international students.
Labour Faces Criticism Over Border Control
The Conservatives accused Labour of losing control of the border. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the new figures “blow apart every claim Labour have made about getting control” and criticised the rise in asylum grants and hotel numbers.
The Home Office said it had improved decision making and reduced the asylum backlog to 62,000. A spokesperson said the government remained aware of the scale of the challenge and highlighted a recent package of reforms.
France Authorises Stronger Action at Sea
In France, authorities have reportedly agreed to give police new powers to stop small boats before migrants board them. The move follows a letter from Sir Keir Starmer to President Macron urging a change in strategy. Officers will now be able to intervene at sea to prevent boats being loaded, although the measure does not meet the full extent of UK requests.
Economic Concerns About Migration Trends
Experts say the changing composition of migration could present challenges. Researchers at the Migration Observatory noted a fall in skilled worker arrivals and a larger share of refugees, who often need substantial support. Separate Home Office research shows fewer than half of refugees are in employment eight years after being granted asylum.
Why Are So Many People Leaving the UK?
The year to June saw the highest proportion of the population leaving the country since 1923. A total of 693,000 people emigrated, including large numbers from the post-Brexit migration wave, particularly former students and temporary workers.
British nationals made up 252,000 of those leaving. Most were aged between 16 and 34, suggesting younger workers are seeking better opportunities abroad. Some doctors and teachers are reportedly moving to countries like Australia and New Zealand. Studies also suggest that thousands of wealthy individuals have left following the decision to abolish the long-standing non-dom tax regime.
Revised ONS methods show that the number of British emigrants since 2021 is far higher than previously thought, due to updated tax and benefits data.
Among EU nationals, 155,000 left the UK, continuing a post-Brexit trend. Romanians and Poles were the largest groups to emigrate.
