Even the BBC Can't Ignore It: Hong Kong BNO Holders Are Heading Home

The UK's wealthy are fleeing in droves. We're talking about a net outflow of 16,500 people this year – that's a record high that puts Britain at the top of the global exodus charts. When the canaries in the coal mine start flying away, you know something's seriously wrong.

But it's not just the wealthy who are having second thoughts about Britain. A mate of mine has been keeping tabs on the 160,000 Hong Kong BNO holders who've made the move to the UK, and guess what? Some are already throwing in the towel. They're quietly packing their bags and heading back to Hong Kong, unable to cope with the pressures of British life. Even those who are still hanging on are increasingly looking over their shoulders, wondering if they made the right call.

The Hong Kong exodus to Britain four years ago brought 160,000 people to the UK, but many are now struggling with the reality and returning home.

Reality Bites Hard

Even the BBC, which hasn't exactly been Hong Kong's biggest cheerleader, has cottoned on to what's happening. They've published a feature report that's pretty telling, if you ask me.

Take this bloke they interviewed – Mr. Chu. He moved to Birmingham in 2022 during the pandemic, thinking he'd build a better life. Instead, he found himself bouncing between warehouse jobs and restaurant work, battling loneliness and depression so severe he contemplated suicide. The final straw? When he tried to stop a customer from doing a runner without paying, he got beaten up. Chu called the police, yet they couldn't be bothered to show up the first time. When they finally did arrive, they took his statement, watched the CCTV footage, and then... nothing. A year later, they're still "investigating."

Social media posts reveal BNO holders are planning their return to Hong Kong after securing UK residency, citing Britain's economic struggles and poor living conditions.

That's when it hit him – why on earth was he staying? As he put it, "if people value you in a place, you can consider that place home." Clearly, Britain wasn't valuing him much.

He's not alone either. A Hong Kong social media post recently went viral, with someone pointing out that loads of BNO holders are planning to return home once they've secured their permanent residency. His verdict: "Hong Kong is truly much better than the UK." Ouch.

The Numbers Don't Lie

Let's talk brass tacks here. The economic reality is pretty stark when you actually crunch the numbers. The UK managed a measly 0.7% growth in the first quarter, with projections of just 1.1% for the full year. Meanwhile, Hong Kong posted 3.1% growth and is looking at potentially hitting 3% for the year.

But it gets worse for Britain. Higher income tax rates, yet lower professional salaries compared to Hong Kong. That's not exactly a winning combination, is it? From a purely financial standpoint, jumping ship and heading back to Hong Kong makes perfect sense.

Then there's the quality of life factor. I heard a heartbreaking story recently about an elderly woman who sold her Hong Kong property to help her daughter's family buy a place in Britain. She moved with them, thinking it would be great. Instead, she found herself miserable, clashing with her son-in-law, and spiraling into depression. Eventually, she gave up and came back to Hong Kong alone, where she's now waiting for transitional housing. Despite living by herself, she's got relatives and friends around here – and she's infinitely happier than she ever was in Britain.

Just the Beginning

Here's my prediction: these stories aren't one-offs. They're the tip of the iceberg. The "return wave" is only just getting started, and we're going to see a lot more Hong Kong BNO holders realizing that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the pond.

The irony is delicious, really. Four years ago, we were told about this great exodus from Hong Kong to the UK. Now we're seeing the reverse migration trend that nobody wants to talk about. But when even the BBC can't ignore it anymore, you know it's real.

Lai Ting Yiu

What Say You?

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

Jimmy Lai's marathon trial for colluding with foreign forces wraps up after 156 days, with the verdict dropping next Monday. Friends tracking the case have eyes glued on U.S. President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but as the moment nears, both stay ice-cold—muttering a few throwaway lines to fulfill obligations, clearly dodging any real fireworks that could sour ties with China. Jimmy's daughter, Lai Chai, seems to get the memo; her recent Washington Post letter skips any hard push for Trump to "rescue Dad." Dreamers still peddle fairy tales, though—like claims Trump would whip out the "Jimmy Lai card" in U.S.-China talks. Pure fantasy, as facts now confirm 100%.

Trump and Starmer shrug off "save Lai"—perfunctory mutters, all show, no spine, with trade deals calling the shots.

Peel back Trump's moves on Lai lately, and the truth jumps out: real rescue mission or mere box-ticking? Before his late-October Busan sit-down with Chairman Xi, Lai’s son Lai Chong-en clung to hopes the case would hit the agenda. Post-meeting, the U.S. media briefing was silence on Lai—whether Trump even whispered the name stays locked tight.

Lukewarm Whispers, No Fireworks

Days later, some mystery leaker (identity still foggy) tips Reuters: Trump name-dropped Lai for under five minutes, zero substance. Weird twist—the White House stonewalls, never confirming a word. Smart money says Trump tossed in a casual nod to honor old pledges without torpedoing the talks, then shelved it for good.

Trump ditching this chip? Easy math. Priority one: safeguard the hard-fought U.S.-China trade deal—steer clear of distractions. Priority two: Lai's got zero bargaining juice left in Trump's dealmaker world; why gamble the big win for a lightweight?

Flash back to Trump's first-term endgame—he never clutched Lai close. When Lai was arrested in August 2020, Trump shrugs: "He's a good man. I don't know him, but I've heard he's a good man... I wish him well." Election loss hits, and poof—Lai vanishes from his lips. The real Lai cheerleaders were VP Pence and Secretary Pompeo, who even met him. But Trump's back in power this year, boots those guys to the curb as foes—Lai, their pet project, gets zilch.

During Lai's trial, family begs Trump and Starmer for help—met with cold showers every time, total waste.

Trump's chill on "save Lai" finds a wimpier twin in Starmer. March this year, Lai Chong-en jets to London, begs a huddle to pressure China—slammed with ice: door barred, a gate security grunt was sent to receive his petition letter.

Mid-September, one last Hail Mary: another letter to Starmer—again, nothing happens. Downgrades to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper? More lemons. Starmer's foreign policy speech? Box-ticking Lai nod, buried in human rights gripes, China sanctions on UK MPs, campus threats—pure "mention and move on."

Starmer eyes a China trip next year, hungry for trade juice to pump Britain's wheezing economy—no way he lets Lai derail that gravy train.

Trump, Starmer—profit trumps all. Jimmy Lai card? More pain than gain, and even if played, it's showbiz with zero sway on his fate.

Lai Ting-yiu