Prime Minister Vows to Bring Numbers Down to "Sustainable Levels"

Rishi Sunak seemed to take a swipe at his predecessor Boris Johnson as he appeared to blame him for the record levels of net migration. Sunak declared that he "inherited these very large numbers" during a visit to Guildford, Surrey. However, Prime Minister Johnson has vowed to do "what is necessary" to bring the numbers back down to "sustainable levels."

Net Migration Reaches Record High

Last week, figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that net migration, which is the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country, reached a record 745,000 in 2022. This number was higher than expected and has prompted calls from Tory members for stricter immigration controls.

Sunak Determined to Take Action

During his visit to Guildford, Sunak expressed his concern over the levels of legal migration to the country, stating that they are "simply too high." He acknowledged that these numbers put "unsustainable pressure on public services" and emphasized his determination to bring them back down to sustainable levels. The government is currently examining independent advice before implementing measures to address the issue.