Returns & Deportation
The UK made 39,722 returns in 2025 - a headline figure comprising enforced and voluntary returns, up 13% on 2024's 35,027. Of these, 9,908 were enforced returns, the highest figure recorded since 2017 and a 21% increase on 2024. Foreign national offenders accounted for 5,732 returns - 57% of the enforced total and up 12% on 2024. Voluntary returns rose to 29,814, the highest since 2015, reflecting an expanded Assisted Voluntary Returns programme. A further 18,356 people were refused entry at the border and subsequently departed - these port refusals are counted separately from the headline total, and including them brings total departures to 57,679.
Despite the increase, enforced returns remain well below the 2004–2016 average of around 15,300. Enforced returns peaked at 21,425 in 2004 and fell to a COVID-era low of 2,788 in 2021; the 2025 figure is roughly a third below the long-run average. The recovery is real but partial. For every person returned, roughly 23 people arrived on a non-visitor visa - 931,000 non-visitor visas granted in 2025 against 39,722 returns. Full data: Returns & Deportation →
Small Boats & Asylum
45,183 people arrived in the UK via small boat Channel crossings in the year to September 2025 - a 51% increase on the previous year. The full-year 2025 total reached 41,472, up from the 2023 low of 29,437. Eritrean nationals were the largest group (17%), followed by Afghans (13%) and Iranians (11%). Asylum applications reached 82,559 - the third highest annual total on record - while the total asylum caseload stood at 224,700. The grant rate for initial decisions was 45%. Full data: Asylum →
The Tribunal Crisis
The appeal system reached breaking point in 2025. 118,000 appeals were received by the First-tier Tribunal in 2025/26 - 49% more than the previous year - while the open caseload hit a record 152,000 cases by the end of March 2026. Pending asylum appeals reached 87,450, up 72% in a year and now larger than the backlog awaiting an initial decision. Of appeals decided, 39% were allowed - meaning the Home Office initial decision was overturned - and the mean time to clear an appeal stood at 61 weeks. The Home Secretary announced a review of Article 8 ECHR interpretation in March 2025. The Sentencing Act 2026 extended automatic deportation to cover suspended sentences of 12 months or more, effective March 2026. Full data: Not Deported →
Net Migration: The Sharp Fall
Long-term international net migration fell to 171,000 in the year ending December 2025 - nearly halving from 331,000 in 2024 and the lowest figure since 2021. Total long-term immigration was 813,000 (down 20%). The fall was driven primarily by a 47% decline in non-EU work-related arrivals. British nationals continued their net outflow: 136,000 more UK citizens left than returned. EU nationals also net-emigrated (−42,000). Of all UK emigrants, 76% are now under 35.
Labour Market
Analysis of HMRC payroll data by the Centre for Social Justice (May 2026) found that since January 2020, 27 non-EU workers under 25 were hired for every additional young British payrolled worker - as the non-EU under-25 workforce grew 355% while UK national under-25 payrolled employment grew just 0.3%. In December 2024 to December 2025 alone, non-EU under-25 employment rose by 33,200 while UK national under-25 employment fell by 32,200. Young Britons classified as NEET reached 957,000 in October–December 2025 (12.8% of 16–24 year olds), up approximately 200,000 since 2020. Full data: Labour Market →
The Cost
The Home Office published official return costs for the first time in March 2026. An enforced removal averaged £48,800 - up from an estimated £28,000 in 2023/24 and £15,000 in 2022/23. A voluntary return averaged £4,300 - 11 times cheaper. Total spending on enforced removals was £420 million in 2024/25; on voluntary returns, £58 million. Immigration Enforcement's overall resource budget for 2023/24 was £482 million. Full data: Costs →
Sources: Home Office Immigration System Statistics (May 2026) · ONS Long-term International Migration, provisional (May 2026) · MoJ Tribunals Statistics Quarterly (Jun 2026) · Centre for Social Justice/HMRC (May 2026) · Home Office Cost of Returns (Mar 2026) · ONS NEET Bulletin (Feb 2026)
See also: 2024 Annual Review → | Full interactive dashboard →