Migration, Net Migration & Human Dignity

Talking Topic: Net Migration and Nigel Farage

By Aquayemi-Claude Akinsanya | TCSL2022 x Styledbyclaude ©️

This week, I had the opportunity to join Jeremy Kyle on TalkTV & TalkRadio to discuss one of the most pressing and often polarising issues in UK politics today: Migration and Net Migration.

I began by reminding viewers that migration is not just about numbers or political slogans it is about people, human rights, and dignity. Behind every statistic is a family, a worker, a student, or someone seeking safety.

Understanding Net Migration

The definition is simple:
Net Migration = Immigration Emigration.

In 2024, net migration was estimated at +431,000 lower than the record highs of previous years but still a central talking point in the public debate. This number reflects global movement, labour shortages, international study, and humanitarian needs.

Why Headlines Can Mislead

During the show, I addressed political claims such as pledges to deport 600,000 migrants in a single parliamentary term. While they generate media attention, the reality is starkly different: in 2024, the UK managed to return approximately 33,000 people the highest in seven years, but nowhere near the scale of mass deportations being promised.

Such pledges raise legal, ethical, and practical issues. They would require mass detention centres, astronomical costs, and would risk breaching fundamental human rights obligations like non-refoulement — the principle that forbids returning people to danger.

The Right Formula: World-Class Reform

Instead of political theatre, what the UK needs is a robust, humane, and realistic plan for migration:

Faster & Fairer Asylum Processing with full transparency and legal oversight.

Safe & Legal Routes so that people are not forced into dangerous crossings.

Responsible Returns that are lawful, targeted, and based on international agreements.

Integration Pathways to strengthen communities through education, employment, and language support.

Independent Oversight to ensure dignity and accountability in every decision.

Why This Matters

The migration debate isn’t simply about “numbers in and numbers out.” It is about who we are as a country and how we balance justice, compassion, and responsibility.

On TalkTV, I shared that the UK can be both tough and humane. These are not opposites they are the foundation of any world-class system that lasts beyond political cycles.

Migration will always be part of our story. The real question is: will we let it be shaped by fear and division, or by dignity, justice, and reform?

I stand for the latter.

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