Story perspectives

Leave Areas See Foreign-Born Workforce Double, Not Driving Deprivation

6/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Leave-voting constituencies have seen the fastest rise in foreign-born workers since June 2016 Brexit vote.
Their share of non-UK employees rose from under 5 % in June 2016 to under 10 % by December 2024.
UK migration peaked at 944,000 health and care visas to March 2023 before falling as visas expired.
Deprivation data show Leave areas lagged Remain areas in health, housing and crime 2015-2025, with researchers citing pre-existing economic weakness, not immigration, as the cause.

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Story summary

Leave-voting constituencies have seen the fastest rise in foreign-born workers since June 2016 Brexit vote.
Their share of non-UK employees rose from under 5 % in June 2016 to under 10 % by December 2024.
UK migration peaked at 944,000 health and care visas to March 2023 before falling as visas expired.
Deprivation data show Leave areas lagged Remain areas in health, housing and crime 2015-2025, with researchers citing pre-existing economic weakness, not immigration, as the cause.