UK grants fewer work visas

Britain granted far fewer visas to foreign workers last year than in 2023 after the introduction of stricter policies for health and social care workers, but asylum claims hit a record high, official data showed on Thursday.

Home Office immigration statistics for 2024 showed 210,098 work visas were granted in the 12 months to the end of December, a 37% drop compared to the previous year. Visas for health and social care workers fell by 81% to 27,174, the interior ministry data showed, continuing a downward trend that began in early 2024 following restrictions brought in by the previous Conservative government.

But the data also showed that 108,138 people claimed asylum in 2024, an 18% jump year-on-year, and surpassing the previous record high in 2002 with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran the most common nationalities claiming asylum.

Small boat arrivals were also up 25% to 37,000. However, the number of people who were granted refugee status or other leave at initial decision dropped by 37% to 39,616