THE public have a false perception of the number of asylum seekers who arrive in the UK, according to findings of a report by the thinktank British Future.
People mistakenly think asylum seekers make up more than five times as much of UK immigration, the new research has found.
On average, the public think those seeking asylum represent more than a third of total immigration (37 per cent) when in fact that figure is only around seven per cent.
Four in 10 Reform voters (39 per cent) and three in 10 Conservatives (31 per cent) think more than half of UK migration is from asylum seekers.
Concern about asylum seekers was driven by a visible lack of control of Channel crossings, the report’s authors said. The report from Immigration Attitudes Tracker by British Future and Ipsos further stated that prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is likely to have considerable ‘breathing room’ as he exceeds public expectations on immigration numbers (see comment on page 8).
The authors anticipate net migration to continue to reduce over the next year – partly through circumstance, partly due to the policies of the previous government.
Net migration to the UK fell more than 10 per cent in 2023, according to official figures. The number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving – was 685,000 in 2023, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed. That is a fall from 2022’s record net migration figure, which was 764,000.
However, half the public (50 per cent) expects net migration to in – crease over the next 12 months and only 12 per cent expect it to fall.
According to the research, the public underestimates migration for work and study, which makes up most mi – gration to the UK.
People think a quarter of immigration (26 per cent) is for work, when the actual figure is around 40 per cent; and estimate that only 19 per cent is for study at UK universities (actually around 38 per cent).
Most people wanting to work in the UK still have to apply for a visa through the points-based system (PBS). However, since April 11, 2024, they have needed a confirmed job offer with a higher salary. Applicants now have to earn at least £38,700 – an increase of nearly 50 per cent from the previous £26,200 minimum.
The threshold does not apply to some jobs – such as in health and social care, and teachers on national pay scales. But overseas care workers can no longer bring family depend – ants with them.
Announcing the new rules, former home secretary James Cleverly claimed 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK in 2022 would no longer qualify. The view among the public shows a support for more foreign medical staff.
However, half the public (50 per cent) want more migrants doctors to come to the UK (14 per cent would like numbers reduced) and 52 per cent want more nurses from overseas, with just 14 per cent saying they would prefer fewer.
Four in 10 people (42 per cent) want migration for care home work to significantly increase, 28 per cent want it to stay at current levels, and 18 per cent want it reduced Read More….