Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that he will be “unable” to take back control of borders following today's publication of the immigration white paper.
The Prime Minister said the UK risks becoming an “island of strangers” without controls on immigration as he unveiled a crackdown including plans to cut overseas care workers and tighten English language requirements.
In a Downing Street speech, the Prime Minister said the Labour Government will “take back control of our borders” and close the book on a “squalid chapter” for politics and the economy.
However, the Prime Minister's refusal to commit to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was slammed by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Sir Keir Starmer claimed the 'one nation experiment' on 'open borders' is 'over'PA
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman slammed the proposals
PAShe wrote on social media: “I’ve heard too many empty promises to believe this time will be any different. More empty rhetoric from Labour. Without leaving the ECHR and scrapping the Human Rights legislation we are unable to take back control of our borders.”
Reform UK deputy leader Reform UK reacted to today's speech, saying: “Starmer’s invasion continues” adding: “[The] British taxpayer suffers even more.”
Starmer said the system under the reforms will be “controlled, selective and fair” and will recognise “those who genuinely contribute to Britain’s growth and society, while restoring common sense and control to our borders.”
The Prime Minister continued: “This is a clean break from the past and will ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right...and when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.”
In a Downing Street speech, the Prime Minister said the Labour Government will “take back control of our borders” and close the book on a “squalid chapter” for politics and the economy.
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Richard Tice said the move would impact the British taxpayers
PAHowever, the Prime Minister's refusal to commit to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) was slammed by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
She wrote on social media: “I’ve heard too many empty promises to believe this time will be any different. More empty rhetoric from Labour. Without leaving the ECHR and scrapping the Human Rights legislation we are unable to take back control of our borders.”
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice reacted to today's speech, saying: “Starmer’s invasion continues” adding: “[The] British taxpayer suffers even more.”
Starmer said the system under the reforms will be “controlled, selective and fair” and will recognise “those who genuinely contribute to Britain’s growth and society, while restoring common sense and control to our borders”.
The Prime Minister continued: “This is a clean break from the past and will ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right...and when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration and to learning our language.”
The Prime Minister said the UK risks becoming an 'island of strangers' without controls on immigration
PAThe proposals in the white paper mean that migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship, however so-called “high-contributing” individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
The legislation would mean the Parliament will decide who should have the right to remain in the UK.
Some Labour MPs have criticised Starmer’s plans, saying that it could put the UK on a “very dark path”.
Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, posted on X: “The step-up in anti-migrant rhetoric from the government is shameful and dangerous.
“Migrants are our neighbours, friends and family. To suggest that Britain risks becoming ‘an island of strangers’ because of immigration mimics the scaremongering of the far-right.”
Sarah Owen, the Labour chairwoman of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, said: “The best way to avoid becoming an ‘island of strangers’ is investing in communities to thrive – not pitting people against each other.
“I’ve said it before and will say it again, chasing the tail of the right risks taking our country down a very dark path.
“Fair & sensible checks on immigration should not equal blaming all the woes of our country on immigrants, rather than the failures of those in power for the last 14 years.”
