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Migrant numbers 'must be reduced' Migrant numbers 'must be reduced'
(about 4 hours later)
The number of migrants allowed into the UK under the points system may have to be reduced because of the economic crisis, an immigration minister says.The number of migrants allowed into the UK under the points system may have to be reduced because of the economic crisis, an immigration minister says.
Phil Woolas told the Times immigration became an "extremely thorny" subject when people were losing their jobs. Phil Woolas told the Times immigration became an "extremely thorny" subject if people were losing their jobs.
"It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder," he said."It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder," he said.
The Home Office said the current points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls".The Home Office said the current points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls".
The government has recently introduced the points-based system to attract migrants from outside the EU judged to be most valuable to the economy. The government recently introduced the points-based system to attract migrants from outside the EU judged to be most valuable to the economy.
There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving Phil WoolasImmigration Minister How points workSend us your commentsThere has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving Phil WoolasImmigration Minister How points workSend us your comments
But Mr Woolas, the new immigration minister, said: "If people are being made unemployed, the question of immigration becomes extremely thorny." But Mr Woolas, who became immigration minister in the reshuffle earlier this month, said: "This government isn't going to allow the population to go up to 70 million.
"This government isn't going to allow the population to go up to 70 million," he continued.
"There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving.""There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving."
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the population grew by nearly two million to 60,975,000 people between 2001 and 2007.Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the population grew by nearly two million to 60,975,000 people between 2001 and 2007.
Various official projections predict this to rise to 77m in 2051 or 110m in 2081.
Keith Best, of the Immigration Advisory Service, said migrants tended to get blamed
BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said it was significant Mr Woolas had quoted 70 million as an upper limit for the UK population.BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said it was significant Mr Woolas had quoted 70 million as an upper limit for the UK population.
The government had, before now, fought shy of setting a "population policy" because it was difficult for ministers to explain how it would be managed, he said.The government had, before now, fought shy of setting a "population policy" because it was difficult for ministers to explain how it would be managed, he said.
Our correspondent explained this was because immigration from inside the EU could not be controlled, neither could a limit be placed on genuine claims for asylum. This is because immigration from inside the EU cannot be controlled, and neither can a limit be placed on genuine claims for asylum.
This meant there would be "all sorts of questions raised" about how the government was going to achieve its aim, he added. Our correspondent said this meant there would be "all sorts of questions raised" about how the government was going to achieve its aim.
'Turning point''Turning point'
Former Labour minister Frank Field, who is a member of a cross-party group on immigration, welcomed the government's change of emphasis. Former Labour minister Frank Field, who is a member of a cross-party group on immigration, welcomed the government's seeming change of emphasis.
He told the BBC's Today programme it may have been argued when the economy was enjoying a boom, that there was a "case for an open immigration policy" although he did not accept that. The immigration policy suitable for a boom is totally unsuitable for a recession Frank Field MP The MP for Birkenhead told the BBC's Today programme it may have been argued when the economy was enjoying a boom, that there was a case for an "open immigration policy" - although he did not accept that.
But he said: "When we're moving into a recession, the length of which we do not yet know, the immigration policy suitable for a boom is totally unsuitable for a recession."But he said: "When we're moving into a recession, the length of which we do not yet know, the immigration policy suitable for a boom is totally unsuitable for a recession."
He said the key was to "break the link" between people coming to the UK to work and gaining citizenship, which increased the population.He said the key was to "break the link" between people coming to the UK to work and gaining citizenship, which increased the population.
This is what's going to come across as 'We don't want migrant workers' Keith BestImmigration Advisory Service
Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, which argues for balanced migration, told BBC Five Live Mr Woolas's remarks showed a significant development in the immigration debate.Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, which argues for balanced migration, told BBC Five Live Mr Woolas's remarks showed a significant development in the immigration debate.
"I think this could be a significant turning point. I think the economic crisis has shown up the weakness of uncontrolled immigration."I think this could be a significant turning point. I think the economic crisis has shown up the weakness of uncontrolled immigration.
"This is the very first time that a government minister has recognised the link between immigration and population. The government have been in denial about that for years.""This is the very first time that a government minister has recognised the link between immigration and population. The government have been in denial about that for years."
But the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz, told the Times he would be "astonished" at a Labour immigration minister "in effect changing the policy".But the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz, told the Times he would be "astonished" at a Labour immigration minister "in effect changing the policy".
The Labour MP added: "His predecessor and the home secretary have made it very clear they do not support a quota."The Labour MP added: "His predecessor and the home secretary have made it very clear they do not support a quota."
And Keith Best, chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, told the Today programme there was a danger Mr Woolas's comments could be misinterpreted. Skills shortage
"This is what's going to come across as 'We don't want migrant workers'." Keith Best, chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, told Today there was a danger Mr Woolas's comments could be misinterpreted.
An economic downturn would mean fewer people would be attracted to the UK for work anyway, he said, but added some skills shortages would still exist even in recession. From what Phil Woolas is saying this morning he appears to agree with us now Shadow immigration minister Damian Green "This is what's going to come across as 'We don't want migrant workers'."
An economic downturn would mean fewer people would be attracted to the UK for work anyway, he said - but some skills shortages would still exist even in recession.
Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said it appeared Labour was following Conservative policy.Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said it appeared Labour was following Conservative policy.
"We've argued for an annual limit, the government has argued against it. From what Phil Woolas is saying this morning he appears to agree with us now - that's fine.""We've argued for an annual limit, the government has argued against it. From what Phil Woolas is saying this morning he appears to agree with us now - that's fine."
Immigration controls A Home Office spokesman said the points-based system allowed it to "raise or lower the bar" according to needs.
A Home Office spokesman said the government's points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls" which allowed it to "raise or lower the bar" according to needs.
He added: "Our tough new Australian points system, plus our plans for newcomers to earn their citizenship, will reduce overall numbers of economic migrants coming to Britain, and the numbers awarded permanent settlement.He added: "Our tough new Australian points system, plus our plans for newcomers to earn their citizenship, will reduce overall numbers of economic migrants coming to Britain, and the numbers awarded permanent settlement.
"Crucially the points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come - and no more. "Crucially, the points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come - and no more.
"Had the points-based system been in place last year there would have been 12% fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route." "Had the points-based system been in place last year, there would have been 12% fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route."