Suella Braverman expresses criticism following all-time high migration statistics

Suella Braverman, a former home secretary, has expressed concern about the "unsustainable" pressure on public services caused by migration, following record levels of net migration in the UK last year. Braverman believes the government must act now to reduce the number of people coming to the country. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that net migration reached a record 745,000 in 2021. The Prime Minister's spokesperson acknowledged that migration was "far too high" and announced measures to tackle the issue, including stricter regulations for dependants of students and increased visa costs. However, Braverman, who was recently sacked from her cabinet position, criticized the record figures, describing them as a "slap in the face" for the British public who have consistently voted for tighter control over migration. She highlighted the strain on housing, healthcare, education, wages, and community harmony as being unsustainable, and called for the implementation of measures such as an annual cap on net migration and the closure of certain visa routes. Braverman stressed that Brexit had provided the tools necessary to address the issue, and fellow Conservative MPs, including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Sir Simon Clarke, have echoed her call for greater action to reduce migration. The New Conservatives group, located within the right-wing of the party, stated that addressing migration was a crucial matter for the party and emphasized the importance of fulfilling promises made to the electorate. In 2010, former Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to bring net migration below 100,000, a target that has never been met. The government is now reportedly considering new measures to reduce migration levels. The ONS cautioned that its migration estimates are subject to revision, and provisional figures for this year indicate a potential slowing down in net migration. The majority of arrivals in the UK are from non-European Union countries, with students constituting the largest group of non-EU migrants. However, the ONS noted an increase in workers coming to fill staff shortages in the healthcare and social care sectors. Meanwhile, arrivals through humanitarian routes have decreased, mainly consisting of Ukrainians and British Nationals (Overseas) from Hong Kong. Home Secretary James Cleverly reiterated the government's commitment to reducing legal migration and preventing abuse of the visa system. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the net migration figures as "shockingly high" and a failure in multiple areas, including immigration, asylum, and the economy. The SNP's home affairs spokeswoman, Alison Thewliss, argued that the UK government's fixation on net migration numbers highlights the need for Scotland to have full control over migration as an independent nation.