A new report has revealed that most illegal migrants in the UK initially came on legal visas, such as work, study, or visitor visas, but stayed beyond their allowed time.
This issue has become particularly significant in London, where an estimated 390,000 to 585,000 illegal migrants live. On average, this means about 1 in 12 people in London could be in the city without proper legal status. The study, commissioned by Thames Water and conducted by experts from Leeds University, looked into “hidden” users of water services to estimate these numbers.
Zia Yusuf, the chairman of Reform UK, responded strongly to these findings. He said the numbers didn’t surprise him and that many people in London likely sense the same thing. Yusuf accused the Office of National Statistics (ONS) of misleading the public by underestimating migration figures in the past. He pointed out that legal migration numbers were later revised upward by 20%, which he says proves his point.
He also criticized the government’s handling of small boat crossings in the English Channel, accusing them of allowing “hundreds of thousands” of people to come to the UK illegally. Yusuf claimed the government has done little to stop this flow and has even incentivized migrants to come by providing housing and support.
Yusuf expressed serious concerns about the demographics of these crossings, stating that 90% of the people arriving are men. Many of them, he said, come from countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Iran, which he believes could pose national security risks. He described the situation as both a national emergency and a security crisis, noting that the number of military-age males crossing illegally is now higher than the number of soldiers in the UK’s armed forces.
The issue of illegal migration isn’t limited to London. The report estimates that over 1 million illegal migrants are living in the UK, with most of them concentrated in the capital. Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, called the situation “unacceptable.
He criticized illegal migrants for using taxpayer-funded services while working unlawfully and called for stronger border controls. Tice argued that the UK should welcome people who come legally, but those here illegally must be sent back to their home countries.
The government has defended its actions, stating that it is working hard to address illegal migration. A Home Office spokesperson said they are strengthening international partnerships and targeting criminal gangs that smuggle people across the Channel.
They also reported removing 16,400 illegal migrants over the past six months, the highest number in five years. The spokesperson emphasized that those arriving illegally will not be allowed to stay and will be sent back.
Despite these efforts, the crossings continue. So far this year, 1,000 people have crossed the Channel, adding to the 38,816 who arrived in 2024. This makes 2024 the second-highest year on record for such crossings.
The report and these reactions highlight a growing debate in the UK about immigration and border control. Many argue that while the UK should remain open to legal migrants, there needs to be a stronger effort to address those who overstay their visas or enter illegally. Both the government and opposition figures agree that changes are needed, but how to address the issue remains a deeply divisive topic.
