Sir Keir Starmer's approach to immigration could mean an extra 250,000 migrants coming to Britain each year, a new report has shown.
The report, to be published by the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) tomorrow, claims that an EU-wide returns agreement with Brussels could increase net immigration by nearly 130,000 people each year.
It adds that scrapping the Government's Rwanda scheme could increase migration by up to 10,000 per year.
The study argues that Labour might also reverse a policy introduced by the Tories which blocked care workers from bringing their dependents to the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer's approach to immigration could mean an extra 250,000 migrants coming to Britain each year, a new report has shown
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They projected that the move would increase immigration by a further 120,000.
A culmination of all three policy moves could cause migration to increase by as much as 250,000 each year.
In an Op-Ed for GB News, the report's author, Dr Azeem Ibrahim said Starmer has found himself "tiptoeing around the topic" of migration, "aware of its potential to either bolster or undermine his political standing".
He added: "At present, Starmer's reluctance to delve deeply into immigration discussions appears strategic. With favourable polling numbers, he sees little incentive to unveil his stance on a subject that could potentially alienate voters. However, this silence conceals the deep-rooted disagreements within the Labour Party regarding immigration policy."
Dr Ibrahim continued: "In essence, while Starmer emphasizes the importance of safeguarding low-skilled wages and prioritizing UK-born workers, his proposed policies could inadvertently fuel immigration pressures. As the debate surrounding immigration continues to unfold, it is imperative for political leaders to prioritize evidence-based solutions over ideological rhetoric.
"In navigating the complexities of immigration policy, Starmer and the Labour Party must strike a delicate balance between compassion and pragmatism.
"Failure to do so risks exacerbating existing socio-economic challenges and further polarizing public discourse. As the nation grapples with the intricacies of immigration, it is incumbent upon political leaders to chart a course that reflects the values of fairness, responsibility, and inclusivity."
The report claims Starmer's previous career as a lawyer - including his human rights work - means he is more motivated to "take the side of those who are at risk of having their rights crushed by the state".
It adds: "It tells the story of one who has made useful contributions to the topic of immigration and one who has cultivated, over time, a moderate stance on business visas and skills issues related to immigration.
“Yet it also shows a consistent and longstanding reticence to take action against criminals and those who abuse the system.”
Speaking about Labour's plan to strike a migration deal with the EU, floated by the party last year, the report says: "Under this more likely returns deal, made even more feasible by Starmer’s diplomatic rapprochement with the EU, the UK can expect a net immigration increase of 127,214 per year."
Starmer has also promised to scrap the planned Rwanda scheme, even if planes take off and the scheme begins functioning.
Minister for Illegal Migration Michael Tomlinson told the Daily Express: “This report has confirmed that Sir Keir Starmer cannot say what he would do to stop the boats because he does not have a plan.
“We are sticking to our plan that is working, with Channel crossings down by over a third last year. We are also pressing ahead with our Rwanda plan to deter illegal migration and stop the boats.
The Labour leader has promised to scrap the Government's Rwanda scheme if he wins the election
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“The choice is clear: stick with the plan under Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives to stop the boats and deliver a fairer migration system, or go back to square one and get more illegal migration with Keir Starmer and the Labour Party.”
But Labour said it has ruled out opting into an EU asylum scheme that would involve accepting migrant quotas, with a party source saying that the HJS report ignores Labour's plan for a new returns unit and plans to fast-track asylum decisions.