GEIS-新闻详情

Allowing migration to rocket was a 'fatal mistake', James Cleverly admits

2024-08-25 00:00:00.0 每日快报-政治原网页

Migration is one of the biggest issues for the British public (Image: Getty)

Allowing migration to rocket to record levels was a “fatal mistake”, James Cleverly has admitted.

The former home secretary warned that Labour “ideologically opposes border control” and that the party is a “soft touch” on immigration.

by Taboola by Taboola

Sponsored

Online Shopping Tools

Online Shopping ToolsFlight Attendant Reveals How To Fly Business Class For The Price of Economy

Undo

by Taboola by Taboola

"And we’re seeing the fruits of those changes in the latest data.

"Visas down. Illegal arrivals down. Small boat arrivals down.

“Labour ideologically opposes border control. But Conservatives know wanting border control isn’t racist.

Almost 20,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel this year (Image: Getty)

“Getting migration down has to be one of our party’s central missions.

“If I’m elected leader, it will be.

“Allowing migration to rocket after Covid was a fatal mistake.”

Tom Tugendhat, another senior Conservative hoping to become the next leader, apologised for the party’s record on immigration.

He said he would aim to slash net migration to around 100,000 a year.

He added: "The reason I apologise is because we can see the effects, right? We can see the effects in communities across the United Kingdom.

"But this isn't just about pointing at the problem. It's about fixing it. And that's why what we really need is a massive economic change because we need Brits to be taking the jobs that we are talking about now."

But new Home Office figures indicate net migration is already falling.

The number of health and social care visas – dubbed a backdoor route into Britain – fell by 26 percent year-on-year to 89,085, with a sharp drop of 81 percent for the period April to June alone coinciding with a ban on dependants.

In a series of tough reforms announced in December, Mr Cleverly banned overseas care workers and foreign students from bringing their family members with them to the UK.

The salary threshold for skilled workers was also increased to ￡38,700.

The previous government aimed to slash the number of people arriving in Britain by 300,000 a year with the measures.

But new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has paused a planned increase in the salary threshold on those hoping to bring their family members to the UK.

This means foreign nationals will only need to earn ￡28,000 to bring their families to the UK.

Mr Cleverly also confirmed he will continue pushing Labour over a key hole in its plan to end the Channel migrant crisis.

Trending

SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

He wrote: "As Shadow Home Secretary, I’ll keep asking Yvette Cooper: 'Where will you send failed asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iran or Syria?'

"But Labour don’t have a plan — and I don’t think they care.

"A Conservative Party under my leadership would regain control of our borders.

"We’ll revive third safe country partnerships like Rwanda."

Home Office figures have revealed just 3 percent - 3,788 – have been deported since the crisis began in 2018, with the number falling this year compared with the final quarter of 2023.

And the scrapping of the Rwanda scheme has intensified fears it is now far harder to remove failed asylum seekers.

New statistics show 2,336 people were deported in the year to June.

But 89 percent of them were Albanian nationals, returned under an agreement signed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak in December 2022.

During a television debate, Sir Keir repeatedly dodged questions on what he would do with migrants from Iran, Syria and Afghanistan – three of the top five cohorts among small boat arrivals.

DON'T MISS

Chaos in asylum system means small boat migrants can stay

170 Comments

Tom Tugendhat backed by local politicians as Conservative Party leadership race hots up

252 Comments

Labour's migration plan blasted by ex-Border Force chief: 'Baby steps!'

759 Comments

Tory leadership state of play as they face 'critical' moment in election race

126 Comments

Nigel Farage blasts Starmer over 'no end' to open migrant policy as 20,000 cross Channel

389 Comments

Keir Starmer will unleash 10 years of chaos on UK - unless conservatives do this

12 Comments

Labour deceit exposed as Tories slam Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves over Winter Fuel 'con'

1082 Comments

'Is that it?' Yvette Cooper's 'clueless' plan 'that won't stop the boats' torn to shreds

1197 Comments

What Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer don't want you to notice about their economic plan

129 Comments

Grim picture inside people smuggler's van as migrants left 'screaming for help'

13 Comments

Tories warn Labour set to raise taxes after Rachel Reeves refuses to rule out two hikes

202 Comments

Keir Starmer nightmare as PM branded weak on immigration by furious voters in shock poll

2038 Comments

New Home Office minister outlines Labour's stance on legal and illegal migration

137 Comments

New poll on Tory leadership contenders reveals one clear frontrunner

215 Comments

Knee Patella Stabilizer

Finally, Knee Patella Support That Works: Feel the DifferenceKnee Patella Stabilizer

Undo

by Taboola by Taboola