The Prime Minister has hailed the drop in net migration after visa rule changes resulted in fewer people from abroad coming to work and study in Britain.

Sir Keir Starmer described data released on Thursday suggesting net migration has fallen to the lowest annual figure since 2021 as a "step in the right direction".

Latest estimates show the number dropped to 204,000 in the year to June 2025 , down 69 per cent year-on-year from 649,000, according to the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ).

The decrease in net migration is being driven by fewer people from outside the EU arriving in the UK for work or to study, along with an increase in people moving out of the country, the ONS said.

Net migration peaked at a record 944,000 in the year to March 2023 but has fallen sharply si

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