Prof Brian Bell says predicted fall to 200,000 people means retail, care and hospitality sectors may struggle to fill posts
UK politics live – latest updates
UK net migration is expected to fall to 200,000 in 2026 with possible resulting labour shortages in the hospitality and retail sectors, an independent adviser to the government has said.
Prof Brian Bell, the chair of the migration advisory committee, said the figure was then predicted to rise again to just below 300,000 in the medium term.
The prediction will be welcomed by No 10 after Keir Starmer pledged to cut net migration “significantly” over the next four years.
