Fall in record migration levels after government tightens visa rules

Britain’s record levels of immigration levels are falling following a decline in foreign workers and students coming to the UK as the Government’s visa allowances fell by a quarter in the first part of the year.

Crackdowns on visas have led to an 80 per cent fall in skilled worker, health and care, legal migrants and study visas, according to data published by the Home Office on Tuesday.

Last year, from January the UK awarded 184,100 visas to these groups, but this year, just 139,00 were granted in the same period, after rules were tightened on foreign students bringing family members to study.

The Prime Minister faced pressure to curb net migration when it peaked at 745,000 in 2022, leading him to pledge to cut figures by 300,000.

Follow i‘s blog for live updates.