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Conservative manifesto plan to reduce immigration is an 'aim' not a promise, says Theresa May Conservative manifesto plan to reduce immigration is an 'aim' not a promise, says Theresa May
(1 day later)
The Conservative manifesto plan to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands is an “aim” rather than a promise, Theresa May has said.The Conservative manifesto plan to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands is an “aim” rather than a promise, Theresa May has said.
The Home Secretary was asked this morning on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether the commitment included in Conservative manifesto was a “promise”.The Home Secretary was asked this morning on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme whether the commitment included in Conservative manifesto was a “promise”.
She replied: “We have still set the aim which we set out in our manifesto; we continue to have, as a government, of bringing net migration down to the tens of thousands. It is the ambition that we have set very clearly in our manifesto.”She replied: “We have still set the aim which we set out in our manifesto; we continue to have, as a government, of bringing net migration down to the tens of thousands. It is the ambition that we have set very clearly in our manifesto.”
The party’s manifesto says the party will “keep our ambition of delivering annual net migration in the tens of thousands, not the hundreds of thousands”.The party’s manifesto says the party will “keep our ambition of delivering annual net migration in the tens of thousands, not the hundreds of thousands”.
Ms May’s clarification comes as David Cameron today announces details of the Government’s new immigration bill which will be brought forward in the Queen’s Speech.Ms May’s clarification comes as David Cameron today announces details of the Government’s new immigration bill which will be brought forward in the Queen’s Speech.
Labour leader Ed Miliband was accused of telling MPs to "move conversation on from immigration," as revealed by a leaked document made available in December to The Telegraph
PA
Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, said: "Freedom of movement is an absolutely central component of the EU"
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MP David Lammy said Labour's new "tough rhetoric" on immigration had upset his constituents
Charlie Forgham-Bailey
MP Frank Field was reported in December to have said that immigrants are contributing "a lot less" than people think to the economy
Justin Sutcliffe
Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna said: "People absolutely have legitimate concerns about controlling the numbers that come in and out"
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MP Lucy Powell, Shadow Minister for the cabinet, is reportedly responsible for approving the leaflet that told doorsteppers to "move conversation away from immigration"
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "Immigration is important for Britain but it has got to be controlled and managed so the system is fair for everyone"
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The bill will create a new offence of “illegal working” that would allow the police to seize the wages of undocumented migrants as the proceeds of crime.The bill will create a new offence of “illegal working” that would allow the police to seize the wages of undocumented migrants as the proceeds of crime.
“The truth is it has been too easy to work illegally and employ illegal workers here,” he will say in a speech in London today.“The truth is it has been too easy to work illegally and employ illegal workers here,” he will say in a speech in London today.
The most recent quarterly net migration statistics show net migration at 298,000 last year, an increased of 54,000 on 2010.The most recent quarterly net migration statistics show net migration at 298,000 last year, an increased of 54,000 on 2010.