New provisional data from the UK Health Security Agency shows that tuberculosis notifications in England remained broadly stable in 2025, offering reassurance amid wider public health pressures, while highlighting ongoing inequalities linked to deprivation, migration and urban living.
According to the figures, 5,424 people were notified with TB in England during 2025, compared to 5,487 in 2024. This represents a small decrease of just over one per cent. England’s overall TB notification rate now stands at 9.4 per 100,000 people.
While this rate is higher than pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019, it remains well below the peak seen in 2011, when TB rates reached 15.6 per 100,000. Health officials say this long-term trend shows progress, but not enough to justify complacency.
Why TB Still Matters for Diaspora Communities
As in previous years, the majority of TB notifications in 2025 were among people born outside the UK, accounting for just over 81 per cent of all cases. UKHSA emphasised that numbers decreased slightly in both UK-born and non-UK-born populations, indicating stability rather than growth.
Public health experts are clear that this pattern does not reflect nationality itself, but global differences in TB prevalence and structural factors such as housing, income and access to healthcare. TB is far more common in many parts of the world, and the infection can remain dormant for years before becoming active.
For diaspora communities, especially those who have moved to the UK from higher-incidence countries, understanding symptoms and accessing care early remains critical.
Urban Inequality and Regional Differences
TB continues to be closely associated with deprivation and is more prevalent in large urban areas. In 2025, regional trends varied significantly across England.
The North East recorded the largest percentage increase, with 42 additional notifications, representing a rise of more than 34 per cent. In contrast, the West Midlands saw the biggest fall, with 74 fewer notifications, a reduction of just over 10 per cent. TB rates remained stable in five of the nine UKHSA regions.
Among people born in the UK, TB remains more common among those facing homelessness, drug or alcohol dependency, or involvement with the criminal justice system. These links underline how TB is not just a medical issue, but a social one shaped by inequality.
Health Officials Urge Vigilance, Not Panic
Dr Esther Robinson, Head of the TB Unit at UKHSA, said tuberculosis remains a serious public health issue in England but stressed that it is both preventable and curable.
She urged people who have moved to England from countries where TB is more common to stay alert to symptoms and seek medical advice promptly. Persistent coughs lasting more than three weeks, particularly those producing mucus, should not automatically be assumed to be flu or COVID-19.
Dr Robinson emphasised that early testing and treatment through GP services can prevent serious illness and reduce transmission.
Understanding TB Without Fear
TB is a bacterial infection that most commonly affects the lungs, which is when it can be infectious. It spreads through prolonged close contact with someone who has active TB and symptoms, usually through airborne droplets released when coughing.
Although TB is the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, it is treatable with a long course of antibiotics, especially when diagnosed early. Untreated TB, however, can be severe and life-threatening.
Importantly, TB does not always cause immediate illness. The bacteria can remain dormant in the body for years, a condition known as latent TB. This is why England operates targeted testing and treatment programmes in higher-incidence areas for new arrivals from countries where TB is more common.
TB, Immigration and Health Checks
A TB test for infectious pulmonary TB is already a requirement for many people applying to come to the UK for six months or more from certain countries. Health officials stress that this is a public health measure, not a judgement, and that latent TB can still develop later even after an initial negative test.
UKHSA says ongoing screening and community-based outreach are essential to prevent future increases and protect both individuals and the wider public.
Looking Ahead: A New National TB Action Plan
Work is currently underway on a new TB National Action Plan covering 2026 to 2031. The plan will focus on improving prevention, detection and control of TB in England, while tackling the health inequalities that continue to drive infections in certain communities.
Evidence gathered from experts, clinicians and community stakeholders earlier this year will shape the strategy, with a particular emphasis on effective interventions and access to care.
The Bigger Picture
For many diaspora families, TB can still carry stigma, fear and misinformation. Public health experts stress that awareness, not silence, is the strongest protection.
Stable numbers in 2025 show progress, but TB remains a reminder that health outcomes are deeply connected to housing, poverty, migration and access to services. Addressing it effectively means meeting communities where they are, with trust, clarity and care.
At Chijos News, we believe health information should empower, not alarm. Understanding TB is not about blame. It is about knowledge, early action and making sure no community is left behind.