Number of migrants to Britain reaches record high of 606,000

The United Kingdom has experienced a historic surge in net migration, with figures reaching an all-time high of 606,000, surpassing previous records. This influx of migrants comes despite the government's pledge to reduce the number of student visas issued, raising concerns about immigration policies.

According to a recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) report, Britain's net migration figure rose by 61,000 in the past year alone. This increase is predominantly driven by a surge in arrivals from outside the European Union, with non-EU net migration reaching 333,000. EU net migration is at 273,000. These figures mark a significant shift in migration patterns since Britain's departure from the European Union.

In response to the alarming figures, government officials expressed their commitment to implementing stricter immigration policies, mainly targeting student visas.

Home Secretary, Jane Thompson, said: "We acknowledge the need for comprehensive immigration reform. Our priority is to address the student visa route, which has contributed significantly to the rise in net migration. We are determined to restore control and reduce the number of visas granted to non-UK students."

The government's intention to clamp down on student visas stems from concerns over the abuse of the system, as well as the strain it places on public services and infrastructure. By lowering the number of visas granted, authorities aim to prioritise the recruitment of local talent and ensure the stability of educational institutions and healthcare services.

Critics of the proposed measures argue that reducing student visas may hinder Britain's ability to attract international talent and undermine its global reputation for higher education.

Professor Emily Carter, a leading academic in international relations, warns: "International students contribute significantly to our economy and enrich our academic institutions with diverse perspectives. It is crucial that we strike a balance between protecting national interests and maintaining our position as a global hub of education and research."

The record-high net migration figures have reignited the debate on immigration policies in Britain.

Amidst the ongoing discussions, the government is under pressure to formulate a coherent immigration strategy that addresses concerns while remaining open to international talent. Balancing the nation's interests and maintaining a welcoming environment for skilled workers and students poses a complex challenge.

As Britain grapples with the consequences of record-high net migration, the government's commitment to reducing student visas indicates a shift in immigration policies. The impact of these measures on Britain's education system, economy, and cultural fabric remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the latest statistics have sparked a renewed sense of urgency in finding a delicate equilibrium between control and openness in the country's immigration framework.

During David Cameron's premiership which ran from 2010 to 2016, he infamously vowed he would reduce net migration to the "tens of thousands". However, this promise never came close to fruition and started Tory's fixation on the issue which has been going on for more than a decade.

Jonathan Portes, an economist at King's College London, told CNN: "It's bizarre that the prime minister and the home secretary are sort of trashing the one thing that they've actually managed to do reasonably well for the last five years.

"We have successfully introduced a new post-Brexit (immigration) system that is actually working pretty well. The idea that the UK would be better off if we were not getting doctors and nurses from abroad, I think is not very credible," Portes said.

In April, the government admitted to having no evidence to back up its claims of boat travellers being economic migrants.

In 2021, then Home Secretary Priti Patel told Parliament that "70 per cent of individuals on small boats are single men who are effectively economic migrants" which several human rights groups vehemently opposed as this created a narrative that those arriving by boat were not genuine asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, recruiters and business groups are blaming the hold on economic growth on labour shortages, with the MP for Stoke-on-Trent North causing uproar after calling his constituents "scrotes" and "scumbags".