Net migration to UK falls by nearly 50% after Labour’s vow to cut numbers

Decline to 171,000 last year will encourage ministers in what is seen as a battleground issue against Reform

• UK politics live – latest updates

Net migration to the UK fell by nearly 50% to 171,000 last year, according to official figures released on Thursday, in what will be seen as a boost for Keir Starmer’s government.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the difference between the number of people moving to the UK and the number of people leaving was at its lowest level since 2021.