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| Boris Johnson urges ministers to let 'best and brightest' come to UK | Boris Johnson urges ministers to let 'best and brightest' come to UK |
| (4 months later) | |
| The London mayor Boris Johnson is to re-enter the highly charged immigration debate as he urges ministers to "allow the best and brightest to come here, contribute and thrive" – remarks that underline his concerns at the way the coalition's immigration cap may be damaging the UK economy . | The London mayor Boris Johnson is to re-enter the highly charged immigration debate as he urges ministers to "allow the best and brightest to come here, contribute and thrive" – remarks that underline his concerns at the way the coalition's immigration cap may be damaging the UK economy . |
| He also endorsed the establishment of a new cross-party immigration group, Migration Matters, to act as a factual and campaigning counterweight to Migration Watch, the frequently cited anti-immigration pressure group. | He also endorsed the establishment of a new cross-party immigration group, Migration Matters, to act as a factual and campaigning counterweight to Migration Watch, the frequently cited anti-immigration pressure group. |
| In a letter to the new group, Johnson describes how the Olympic and Paralympic games have provided a "tremendous boost, showcasing Britain and London right around the globe". | In a letter to the new group, Johnson describes how the Olympic and Paralympic games have provided a "tremendous boost, showcasing Britain and London right around the globe". |
| He says: "The priority for my administration is stimulating jobs and growth in the capital. In an increasingly globalised economy success depends on encouraging a talented and diverse workforce to London. | He says: "The priority for my administration is stimulating jobs and growth in the capital. In an increasingly globalised economy success depends on encouraging a talented and diverse workforce to London. |
| "We want a well-managed migration system that secures our borders and allows the best and the brightest to come here, contribute and thrive." | "We want a well-managed migration system that secures our borders and allows the best and the brightest to come here, contribute and thrive." |
| He also praises the formation of Migration Matters, saying "your principle aim is an important one in an area often riddled with inaccurate claims, differing opinion and consequently strains and tensions". | He also praises the formation of Migration Matters, saying "your principle aim is an important one in an area often riddled with inaccurate claims, differing opinion and consequently strains and tensions". |
| The new group is to be co-chaired by Barbara Roche, the former Labour immigration minister, and Gavin Barwell, the Conservative MP for Croydon South. | The new group is to be co-chaired by Barbara Roche, the former Labour immigration minister, and Gavin Barwell, the Conservative MP for Croydon South. |
| The new group has the backing of business executives and senior union figures, and due to its all-party basis it will not take a specific view on an immigration cap, apart from to call for it to be implemented so the best and brightest are not excluded. | The new group has the backing of business executives and senior union figures, and due to its all-party basis it will not take a specific view on an immigration cap, apart from to call for it to be implemented so the best and brightest are not excluded. |
| Johnson has set up a wide-ranging inquiry into the London labour market, skills, immigration and why many London-born workers do not seem to be able to find work in key jobs growth areas. | Johnson has set up a wide-ranging inquiry into the London labour market, skills, immigration and why many London-born workers do not seem to be able to find work in key jobs growth areas. |
| Ed Miliband also intervened in the debate on Thursday, saying: "I think in terms of low-skilled migration I think it is too high and I think we need to do something about it." | Ed Miliband also intervened in the debate on Thursday, saying: "I think in terms of low-skilled migration I think it is too high and I think we need to do something about it." |
| He added: "The issue that has not been properly addressed by politicians is when people come into the country, particularly from eastern Europe, are they coming in a way that has economic benefits not just for the country as a whole but for people in it across the board, or is it being done in a way that is used to undercut people already here and exploit those coming here?" | He added: "The issue that has not been properly addressed by politicians is when people come into the country, particularly from eastern Europe, are they coming in a way that has economic benefits not just for the country as a whole but for people in it across the board, or is it being done in a way that is used to undercut people already here and exploit those coming here?" |
| The Labour leader said he was opposed to the government's plan to get the numbers down to tens of thousands, and said there was no prospect at this stage of the free movement of labour in the EU being abandoned. | The Labour leader said he was opposed to the government's plan to get the numbers down to tens of thousands, and said there was no prospect at this stage of the free movement of labour in the EU being abandoned. |
| Johnson has asked whether deeper cultural issues prompt the mismatch in the south-east labour market. | Johnson has asked whether deeper cultural issues prompt the mismatch in the south-east labour market. |
| He has asked: "Why do immigrant workers seem to look at a job in McDonald's or Starbucks as a stepping stone, while some who were born here apparently regard it as a dead end? | He has asked: "Why do immigrant workers seem to look at a job in McDonald's or Starbucks as a stepping stone, while some who were born here apparently regard it as a dead end? |
| "Is the problem just to do with pay and conditions? Is it really true that immigrants will work harder for less? Is there really a difference in the 'work ethic', or is that an urban myth?" | "Is the problem just to do with pay and conditions? Is it really true that immigrants will work harder for less? Is there really a difference in the 'work ethic', or is that an urban myth?" |
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