The Labour Party, led by shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, pledges to cut net migration to a “couple of hundred thousand a year” in its first term, deeming current figures “extremely high.”
Recent data shows a substantial increase in net migration to 745,000, primarily driven by health and social care sector workers. Pressure mounts on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to address migration reduction, while Labour aims for a nuanced approach, avoiding arbitrary targets and focusing on structural issues.
The party also plans to raise salary requirements for overseas workers, contrasting with Conservative dissatisfaction over perceived slow immigration actions and controversies surrounding Home Secretary James Cleverly’s remarks on the Rwanda deportation plan.
- A Labour government would cut net migration to a “couple of hundred thousand a year” within its first term, says shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, citing the current figures as “extremely high” and emphasising the goal to return to “normal levels.”
- Latest official figures reveal a significant rise in net migration to 745,000, three times higher than pre-Brexit levels, largely attributed to an influx of workers in the health and social care sectors.
- The Conservative party’s 2019 manifesto promised a reduction in overall numbers, and Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces increasing pressure to formulate an urgent plan to lower net migration.
- When questioned on Labour’s ability to achieve the migration reduction within the first term, Jones expresses hope but acknowledges the need for time to address structural issues left by previous Conservative governments.
- Labour spokesperson clarifies that the party will not set an “arbitrary target” on migration.
- Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reveals Labour’s intention to increase salary requirements for overseas workers, proposing changes to current rules allowing employers to pay migrant workers less than the annual salary threshold.
- Conservative MPs express dissatisfaction with the government’s perceived slow action on immigration, while Home Secretary James Cleverely’s remarks on the Rwanda deportation plan cause controversy within the party.
