This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reducing-net-immigration-to-tens-of-thousands-per-year-remains-government-target-a7145411.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Reducing net immigration to tens of thousands per year 'remains Government target' Reducing net migration to tens of thousands per year 'remains a Government target'
(35 minutes later)
The government has maintained it still intends to reduce net immigration to tens of thousands per year after Amber Rudd refused to put a failed on the target. The Government has maintained it still intends to reduce net migration to tens of thousands per year after Amber Rudd failed to put a figure on the target.
The Home Secretary said on Tuesday she will aim to bring immigration down to “sustainable levels”, declining to confirm whether this met with the Tory manifesto pledge of bringing net migration down to tens of thousands by 2020.The Home Secretary said on Tuesday she will aim to bring immigration down to “sustainable levels”, declining to confirm whether this met with the Tory manifesto pledge of bringing net migration down to tens of thousands by 2020.
The target was missed during the last Parliament, as net levels exceeded 330,000 last year - up 20,000 on 2014.The target was missed during the last Parliament, as net levels exceeded 330,000 last year - up 20,000 on 2014.
The issue became a key factor in the Brexit campaign, with Boris Johnson claiming the figures showed Britain would be “kissing goodbye” to any hope of reducing migrant numbers unless it broke free of Brussels.The issue became a key factor in the Brexit campaign, with Boris Johnson claiming the figures showed Britain would be “kissing goodbye” to any hope of reducing migrant numbers unless it broke free of Brussels.
Speaking to the BBC, the Home Secretary said:  "What the Prime Minister has said is that we must bring migration down to sustainable levels so that's what is going to be my aim at the moment." Speaking to the BBC, the Home Secretary said: "What the Prime Minister has said is that we must bring migration down to sustainable levels so that's what is going to be my aim at the moment."
Asked if the net migration target had changed, Ms Rudd said: "I'm going to stick to my comment which is about bringing it down to sustainable levels. That has to be the most important thing for the country."Asked if the net migration target had changed, Ms Rudd said: "I'm going to stick to my comment which is about bringing it down to sustainable levels. That has to be the most important thing for the country."
Following the comments, Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokeswoman said the goal remained in place.Following the comments, Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokeswoman said the goal remained in place.
Ms May’s spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister does see sustainable levels as down to the tens of thousands. She said: "The Prime Minister does see sustainable levels as down to the tens of thousands.
"Sustainable levels is an approach and a language that has been used repeatedly by the Home Office in the past. The Prime Minister has used it herself. There isn't a change."Sustainable levels is an approach and a language that has been used repeatedly by the Home Office in the past. The Prime Minister has used it herself. There isn't a change.
"The emphasis on 'sustainable' reflects the fact that this is about looking at what is the right level for our country, what communities across the country can cope with, pressure on public services, looking at all these issues.""The emphasis on 'sustainable' reflects the fact that this is about looking at what is the right level for our country, what communities across the country can cope with, pressure on public services, looking at all these issues."
Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson, a leading Leave campaigner, lambasted the government’s failure to bring net migration down to below 100,000 during the lead up to the EU referendum, saying: “The system has spun out of control. We cannot control the numbers. We cannot control the terms on which people come and how we remove those who abuse our hospitality.” Foreign Secretary Mr Johnson, a leading Leave campaigner, lambasted the Government’s failure to bring net migration down to below 100,000 during the lead up to the EU referendum, saying: “The system has spun out of control. We cannot control the numbers. We cannot control the terms on which people come and how we remove those who abuse our hospitality.”
However, he defended Ms Rudd on Tuesday saying: "I think the Home Secretary is entirely right to be careful about committing to numbers because one doesn't want to be in a position where you are disappointing people again.”However, he defended Ms Rudd on Tuesday saying: "I think the Home Secretary is entirely right to be careful about committing to numbers because one doesn't want to be in a position where you are disappointing people again.”
"What is certainly possible, post leaving the EU - and once we end our obligations under uncontrolled free movement - it will be possible to have a system of control.”"What is certainly possible, post leaving the EU - and once we end our obligations under uncontrolled free movement - it will be possible to have a system of control.”
On Sunday, the new Brexit minister David Davis suggested new EU migrants who head from Britain could be sent home to avoid a spike in immigration ahead of a withdrawal from the bloc.On Sunday, the new Brexit minister David Davis suggested new EU migrants who head from Britain could be sent home to avoid a spike in immigration ahead of a withdrawal from the bloc.
He told the Mail on Sunday, Britain “may have to deal with" a potential increase in those travelling to Britain, adding: “We may have to say that the right to indefinite leave to remain protection only applies before a certain date."He told the Mail on Sunday, Britain “may have to deal with" a potential increase in those travelling to Britain, adding: “We may have to say that the right to indefinite leave to remain protection only applies before a certain date."
On Tuesday, a government lawyer told the High Court in London that Britain will not invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty this year.On Tuesday, a government lawyer told the High Court in London that Britain will not invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty this year.
It follows Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement last week that Britain will not start the process of leaving the European Union until Scotland’s position in negotiations is clear.It follows Prime Minister Theresa May's announcement last week that Britain will not start the process of leaving the European Union until Scotland’s position in negotiations is clear.
Additional reporting by Press Association Additional reporting by Press Association