Nigel Farage has warned on Monday that the legacy of mass migration under former prime minister Boris Johnson risks becoming a “catastrophic” economic burden, as Reform UK launched a new inquiry into what it has dubbed the “Boriswave”.
Speaking at a Westminster press conference, the Reform UK leader said there was still time to mitigate the long-term impact of high migration levels, but cautioned that the costs could weigh heavily on future generations if left unchecked.
Farage accused the Conservatives of failing to deliver on repeated pledges to bring net migration down to the “tens of thousands”, arguing that policy had instead moved in the opposite direction.
“I think we all genuinely thought that Boris Johnson as Prime Minister might do something about it,” he said. “The truth is, he did the opposite with the Boriswave.”
He warned that if millions of migrants who arrived during that period are granted indefinite leave to remain in the coming years, the fiscal consequences could be severe.
“If over a couple of million people receive indefinite leave to remain over the next 18 months, we will be putting an economic millstone around our necks that will be catastrophic,” he said, adding that Reform estimates the long-term cost could reach £622bn.
At the same event, Reform’s Home Affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf said the scale of migration between 2021 and 2024 had “permanently altered the fiscal trajectory” of the country.
He cited figures suggesting that 3.8 million long-term visas were issued over that period, contributing to gross immigration of 4.8 million and net migration of 2.6 million.
Yusuf argued that between 1.6 and 2.2 million migrants could soon become eligible for indefinite leave to remain, warning that the associated costs would “explode” as individuals gain access to public services and, eventually, citizenship.
The intervention comes amid a broader political row over immigration policy, with Reform urging the Government not to reverse proposed changes to settlement rules.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated support for tightening aspects of the system. At the same time, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is understood to be considering measures to delay eligibility for indefinite leave to remain.
Farage also used the event to renew criticism of the Conservatives, including leader Kemi Badenoch, accusing the party of failing to implement Brexit fully and of weakening Britain’s defence capabilities during its time in government.
The debate is expected to intensify as pressure grows on ministers to balance economic needs, public services and voter concerns over immigration levels in the years ahead.
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