A substantial portion of UK voters hold the conviction that immigration levels are climbing, yet official data shows the opposite trend. Recent polling conducted by More in Common reveals 67% of voters believe immigration is increasing, despite net migration falling dramatically to its lowest point since the pandemic ended.
The government’s credibility on this issue has deteriorated significantly. 74% of voters express little or no confidence in the administration’s ability to manage borders effectively. This represents a concerning shift from May of the previous year, when that figure stood at 70%. Even among those who supported Labour during the last election, confidence has eroded by 17 percentage points.
Net migration declined by more than two-thirds, reaching 204,000 in the year ending June 2025, down from a record 944,000 in March 2023. This substantial reduction resulted partly from strict policies implemented by the current government. Skilled worker visa applications dropped 36%, while health and care worker applications fell by 51% during 2025.
The government has introduced increasingly tough measures to deter migration and asylum seekers. New proposals include extending citizenship waiting periods to 20 years for those with refugee status and confiscating assets from asylum claimants. Family reunification could be restricted, and refugees could be returned if conditions in their home countries improve. These measures face opposition from some Labour MPs.
Small boats remain central to public perception of the immigration issue. 79% of voters prioritize stopping boat arrivals over reducing overall legal migration. Approximately 43,000 people arrived via small boats in the year ending June 2025, representing a 38% increase from the previous year but still below the 46,000 peak recorded in 2022. Despite this, such arrivals account for less than 5% of total UK immigration.
When presented with accurate migration statistics, voters attribute minimal credit to the current government for the decline. A similar proportion credits the previous Conservative administration instead. Experts suggest this perception gap persists due to deeply ingrained public skepticism about migration figures and government effectiveness on the issue.
Some Labour MPs have criticized the government’s hardline approach. They argue the tough rhetoric mirrors Reform Party positions and risks increasing racism while undermining sectors dependent on migrant workers. These critics call for presenting a positive alternative vision supporting migrant workers rather than continuing divisive messaging that may strengthen opposition parties.
