An EU research paper has sparked controversy after blaming Brexit for the UK’s migration crisis. The study, titled “The Brexit paradox: How leaving the EU led to more migration”, points the finger of blame squarely at the UK’s decision to leave the bloc.
It claims that the post-Brexit “liberalisation of migration laws” by the Tories following the historic vote led to a huge spike in foreign arrivals. Data shows that net migration soared almost fourfold to 906,000 in 2023 from 248,000 at the time of the 2016 referendum.
“Despite concerns about migration prompting many British citizens to vote in favour of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in the Brexit referendum in June 2016, the country has paradoxically attracted significantly more migrants since leaving,” the paper’s authors wrote.
The researchers drew a parallel to Tony Blair’s decision to allow unrestricted access to the UK for citizens from 10 new EU member states in 2004.
“When 10 countries joined the EU, the UK government decided, unlike most EU countries, not to impose any restrictions, which resulted in a greater than expected influx of migrants,” they said.
Reform UK’s leader has dismissed the study as “total nonsense,” saying the UK government is solely to blame for immigration failure.
Frank Furedi, executive director of the MCC Brussels think tank, also told The Telegraph: “The EU still has not overcome the trauma caused by Brexit.
“For that reason it has devoted considerable resources towards propaganda that demonises post-Brexit Britain
The sharp rise in net migration after Brexit was driven by an increase in non-EU citizens coming to the UK.
This was a result of various policy schemes introduced by consecutive Tory governments.
These included reintroducing a post-study work route, opening new humanitarian visa routes for Ukrainians and citizens from Hong Kong, as well as issuing visas to foreign care workers.
Data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that total net migration was 431,000 in 2024.
This figure represents around half of the level recorded in the year ending June 2023, when net migration peaked at a historical high of 906,000, but is above pre-pandemic estimates of between 200,000 and 300,000 .
However, number of small boat arrivals has increased substantially since 2018, with around 37,000 people detected crossing the Channel last year.
That was a quarter more than the year before and the second-highest annual figure.
Arrivals look set to soar this year, with 14,800 small boat crossings already reported between January and May. This represents the highest ever number for this period, and 42% more than last year.
It comes after a Labour minister admitted it was like a “taxi” service when small boat arrivals surged to a daily record for this year
Defence Secretary John Healey conceded that Britain had “lost control of its borders” after 1,194 migrants made the dangerous Channel crossing earlier this month
