Reform UK Launches Inquiry into Costs of UK Migration from 2021 to 2024

Reform UK announced the launch of its 'Boriswave' Inquiry on April 13, 2026, at a press conference in Westminster. The inquiry examines the costs associated with UK migration between January 2021 and June 2024. Reform UK leader and Home Affairs Spokesman presented the findings.

Farage stated that the government had made four manifesto commitments to reduce net migration to tens of thousands annually but did not achieve this.

Policy Background Farage noted that public expectations were for the government to address migration levels following the 2016 Brexit vote.

He said the opposite occurred during the 'Boriswave' period. The report estimates the total cost of this migration at £622 billion, based on government figures. Between 1.6 and 2.2 million migrants from this period are now eligible for indefinite leave to remain, followed by British citizenship.

The report calculates that granting this status could cost each British household up to £20,000 annually over coming decades. The Home Affairs Spokesman described the migration as having altered the fiscal trajectory of the country.

argued that action could still mitigate these costs if indefinite leave to remain is not granted to over a couple of million people in the next 18 months.

He linked the migration trends to broader issues from the Brexit vote, stating that the political class did not fully implement Brexit. Farage also addressed recent Conservative positions on defense, noting reductions in the Royal Navy's capabilities under previous governments.

The inquiry aims to highlight these fiscal and policy outcomes. Reform UK positions the report as a call to address ongoing migration eligibility processes.