A bombshell report has revealed that up to 585,000 illegal migrants are now living in London—equivalent to one in 12 of the capital’s population.
The staggering figures, obtained by The Telegraph through environmental information laws, highlight mounting concerns over the Labour Government’s failure to control Britain’s borders and the strain it places on vital public services such as the NHS and schools.
Despite the shocking scale of the crisis, Labour ministers have failed to publish any official data on illegal immigration, sparking criticism from opposition parties and campaigners.
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, slammed the figures as “deeply alarming,” calling on the Government to “start deporting far more illegal immigrants” immediately.
He said: “It is totally unacceptable to have these numbers of illegal immigrants in the UK. The law needs to be looked at so that spurious human rights, modern slavery, and asylum claims cannot be used to delay or prevent removals.”
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION SURGE
According to the report commissioned by Thames Water, more than one million illegal migrants are now thought to be in the UK, with 60% of them based in London.
The study found most illegal migrants arrived legally on work, study, or visitor visas but overstayed. Experts have warned that these estimates could be outdated as they predate the recent surge in small boat crossings.
On Tuesday, the Home Office confirmed that 1,000 migrants had already crossed the Channel this year, following 38,816 arrivals in 2024—the second highest number on record.
Alp Mehmet, chairman of think tank Migration Watch, warned of the “colossal implications” these figures could have on public services.
He said: “Utilities, housing, the NHS, GP surgeries and schools will all come under severe pressure, further risking community cohesion.”
SUPERMARKETS AND DELIVERY JOBS UNDER PRESSURE
The report suggests a large number of illegal migrants are working in low-paid jobs in the black economy, including food delivery services, which has raised further concerns about exploitation and public safety.
Meanwhile, the NHS has been accused of prioritising undocumented migrants for appointments and A&E services, a claim which sparked outrage as waiting lists for legal residents continue to grow.
Reform UK’s Deputy Leader Richard Tice told the Telegraph: “One in 12 people in London are here illegally, probably working illegally using taxpayer-funded public infrastructure and services. It is totally unacceptable.”
LABOUR’S ‘INVISIBLE’ IMMIGRATION CRISIS
Critics have slammed Labour for their lack of transparency, with the Home Office refusing to publish figures on illegal migration since coming to power.
David Wood, a former director general of immigration enforcement, estimated in 2019 that illegal immigration was “probably” running at around 150,000 people per year.
The report also cites Home Office estimates that between 150,000 and 250,000 foreign nationals fail to return home each year, adding to the ever-growing crisis.
THAMES WATER INVESTIGATION
The shocking figures emerged from an independent study commissioned by Thames Water to assess the “hidden and transient” users of their services.
Using data from sources such as the London School of Economics and the Pew Research Center, the study estimated that illegal migrants make up a significant proportion of the capital’s population.
A Thames Water spokesperson said: “Thames Water played no part in the writing of the report and the conclusions drawn are those of the independent firm that carried out the research.”
PUBLIC DEMANDS ACTION
With pressure mounting on Labour to tackle the crisis, critics are demanding tougher border controls and mass deportations to bring illegal immigration under control.
As the crisis deepens, Brits are left asking how many more illegal migrants are living under the radar, using services meant for law-abiding taxpayers.
Read the full report in the Telegraph here.
