Net migration has decreased from 649,000 to 204,000 in the year to June 2025

[ILoveHotChocolates]

I guess this won’t be shouted about in the news. Such a good thing

There's never going to be zero net migration.

Christ, hyperbole central here on Mumsnet this morning.

100,000 is far from the truth - we had nearly a million in one year not so long ago. And where have I said anything about an invasion or ethnic purity.

There's a huge amount of projection in your post.

Is it young workers or overseas students who have completed their degree?

As someone who recently left the UK permanently, I don't think so.

It's not an attractive proposition. Fewer jobs, we legal immigrants treated like shit because we are expected to fund not only your non working population but all the ones you bring in who don't contribute...

How are you going to fund the state pension let alone the welfare system in 2040? 2045? Keep borrowing? What about when your creditors refuse to give you any more money?

I am an emigrant that plans to return. The people leaving in 2024 / 25 - well it takes time to put stuff in place so not sure Labour nor their non-increase in taxation can be blamed for this. We moved abroad 20 years ago due to redundancy and an opportunity for dh's job to be relocated. We paid 50% tax / social security on everything we earnt, any other income, redundancy payments etc. I was not a higher rate tax payer before I left the UK. When people say they want to leave to avoid taxes, where are they going? In EU taxes are generally higher. Is everyone off to Dubai?

It clearly says British Nationals/ UK citizens in the data.

Plausibly people who acquired citizenship but yeah definitely not international students. I know a lot of people in my work circles (City job) who just collect citizenships! Makes the paperwork easier but they are not really "British" and would be the first to say so. I know quite a few people in this category who are going back home or onwards.

Dubai for the ones who explicitly mention taxes. Anecdotally though most of the British people I know (as in native British, not dual citizens going "home") are looking at Australia, to permanently emigrate.

I honestly think it's less about taxes and more about the feeling of decay and being snipped at constantly - e.g. loss of personal allowance, fiscal drag etc. Private school and private health insurance are actively subsidised (i.e. state makes a per-head contribution and it's topped up if you want rather than starting from scratch in a totally different system). So even high earners feel they are getting a good deal.

Might only be anecdata, but the family who moved into the flat next to me a few years back had one of those 'oh, he's just a cab driver' husbands. Yes, until he passed the exams allowing him to practice medicine in the UK. And then when her mother was granted entry, she looked after the children whilst the wife returned to work as a gynaecologist. Obviously, as soon as they were in a position to work in their professions, they got the hell out of the crappy dump and back to a much nicer lifestyle.

Then there are the families I've approved free school meals for because they have no recourse to public funds - where they evidence their income for this, they have been nurses who have worked their backsides off at the local hospital and/or care homes for 50-80 hours a week for years until they've been allowed to bring their children over. They've got fuck all, but they are undoubtedly necessary, essential, skilled workers doing as many shifts as possible to get to the required income level. I've genuinely never encountered somebody personally or professionally doing lower status/pay roles who hasn't been degree educated and working at whatever they can get at first.

But they don't exist according to some, they're all just benefits claimants (even when they aren't eligible for benefits).

I'm sure forced labourers will make very patient care workers.

You know how people used to say about Brexit "don't care if it makes us poorer, we'll have our freedom...blah blah...."

Beginning to feel the same way about all these people who are going to leave because of tax. Just go. We won't starve. Maybe we'll even decide to pay more tax and have more universal benefits. Rejoin the EU.

Indeed. And that’s why I am leaving as I don’t need to stay somewhere where my standard of living is being actively reduced despite, objectively, being a high earner. I didn’t say I’m struggling, but if I am why can’t I take steps to improve that. I don’t come from a wealthy background, my dad left school at 14, my mum herself immigrated here at 18. I was the first in my family to go to university. What I actually said was despite significantly earning more than I ever have I have never felt so stretched financially. I can both earn more and be taxed less elsewhere. The social contract in this country is broken. its not just tax, it’s mismanagement- look at all the budget leaks - a government that basically needs to test public response before they implement anything because they can’t justify their decisions properly. There is so much that could be done with policies that would generate real growth that would benefit our children and grandchildren but instead they tinker around the edges talking about broad shoulders too scared for their own jobs to implement anything that might offend their backbenchers.

Where are you going?

Taxes and benefits are increasing with Labour already.

Apparently there’s been a poll on wealth taxes and some people want to introduce them even if they don’t raise any revenue for the Exchequer so there’s definitely an element of hating on the rich in this overall debate.

Not as much as the hating on the benefit recipients in this overall debate.

Welfare is now unchristian.

The whole just go stuff isn’t going to work well for anyone.

Even if the pp and others love higher taxes and benefits it’s not sustainable.

Stuff hasn't been working for years.

High earners have always moved, either their taxes, themselves or both.

Brexiteers were quick to move their businesses after they got their wish.

So where is everyone moving to?