ONS DATA: UK NET MIGRATION HALVES FROM 2023 PEAK AS PUBLIC FEAR SOARS

Guardian analysis of ONS and Home Office data shows net migration has declined sharply from the 2023 record, even as immigration tops UK public concerns. Students and sponsored workers account for most arrivals; asylum seekers and small-boat cases remain a small share. PAYE-linked evidence indicates many dependents and recent visa holders have earnings, with immigrant median pay converging with UK levels over time. The piece underscores a gap between rhetoric and data on migration volumes and economic impact.