Brexit fails to curb UK's record high net migration.

Despite Brexit promises to reduce immigration, new data shows that net migration to the UK hit a record high of 606,000 in 2022, with more non-EU citizens arriving to work in health and social care and as international students. While there was a net loss of 51,000 EU citizens, the UK accepted more than 110,000 Ukrainians and 50,000 Hong Kongers on special visas. The Conservative government has made stopping asylum seekers arriving on "small boats" one of its key pledges ahead of the next general election, hoping to galvanize their base. However, public attitudes towards immigration have warmed, and some experts suggest that a hard-line stance may not be the best approach to address labor shortages in areas such as restaurants, construction, and fruit picking.