James Cleverly says Labour doesn't want Rwanda plan to work
Home Secretary James Cleverly insisted tough new migration rules will stop a shock rise in Britain’s population to 74million by 2036. Immigration is expected to add an extra six million people to the size of the UK, according to official figures.
Overall, the country’s growth is the equivalent of five new cities the size of Birmingham. Mr Cleverly has agreed to go even further and faster to stop the small boats during talks with his French counterpart.
But he insisted work is also well under way to bring down legal migration figures.
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Writing in the Daily Express, he said: “Net migration to the UK is too high. You think so, I think so, this Government thinks so, but the good news is our plan to cut the numbers by 300,000 is already in place and having an effect.
“And it’s important to know that saying the numbers are too high is not because you or I or indeed the Government are uncompassionate or xenophobic.
“It is the rational and practical response to a trend that is simply not sustainable into the future.”
Mr Cleverly warned a Labour government would “embrace the option of doing nothing”.
He said: “Their vague suggestions for the future turn out either to be the things we are already doing better or they vanish under questioning like sea fog.
“They don’t have a plan, because deep down they don’t believe in tackling migration. Keir Starmer and most of his team campaigned to keep free movement.”
Official projections put the UK population on course to grow by 10 percent, from 67million in mid-2021 to 73.7million by mid-2036.
About 10.8million people are expected to be born while 10.3million will die.
Some 13.7million will move long-term to the UK, while 7.6million people will emigrate.
It means that of the 6.6million increase, 0.5million would come from a higher number of births than deaths, while 6.1million would result from net migration.
Former home secretary Suella Braverman called for a cap on numbers, while ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick warned the unity of the country is at risk.
Mrs Braverman said the “numbers are too high, placing pressure on schools, the NHS and housing”.
“Recent government measures will help a bit but they’re very late,” she wrote on social media.
“We need a cap on overall numbers so we can hold Government to account and fix this problem.”
Mr Jenrick said: “ONS forecast that 92 percent of our population growth will come from immigration. That’s not how you create a united country.
“From 2028 they forecast net migration at 315,000. This will only deepen the housing crisis.
“There is no democratic consent for this outcome. This pace of change is far too fast.
“After leaving the EU the power to change this, and set us on course for far more sustainable numbers, is in Parliament’s hands.”
Lee Anderson, who resigned as deputy Tory chairman to rebel over the Rwanda plans, said: “This is not sustainable.
“I have never understood the clamour for cheap foreign labour. It is not cheaper. The true cost is the pressure it puts on all our services."
Revised official estimates published in November indicated net migration – the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country – reached a record 745,000 in 2022, higher than previously thought.
Tough new rules announced soon after to tackle the issue will come into force within weeks.
A ban on overseas care workers bringing family dependents to the UK from March will ensure a “more manageable approach” to staffing the sector.
In April, the salary threshold for skilled workers will be significantly increased from ￡26,200 to ￡38,700 to deliver the “biggest ever reduction” in numbers.
Reforms will also make it harder for Britons earning under the national average to bring over foreign spouses.
The measures are expected to slash the number of people arriving in Britain by 300,000 a year.
Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “The Tories’ record high net migration figures include a 65 percent increase in net migration for work and a 156 percent surge in health and social care visas as a result of their failure on skills, training and domestic workforce planning here in the UK.
“Labour would reform the points-based immigration system to boost training and better link it to the needs of the economy.”
Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: “This population increase is equivalent to five cities the size of Birmingham, over 90 percent due to immigration in just 15 years.
“We also know that the net migration figure the ONS projections are based on have already been surpassed. The Government must now take strong action to get the numbers down before it is too late.”
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Mr Cleverly held talks over dinner in Paris with French counterpart Gerald Darmanin on Tuesday evening.
They agreed to build even closer law enforcement and security co-operation ties this year in a drive to stop the small boats crossings.
The Home Secretary praised French police for helping to cut the number of boats reaching the UK by 36 per cent last year.
A meeting with other European ministers will be held in the spring to discuss what else can be done to stop illegal migration.
Mr Cleverly said: “The UK and France are friends, neighbours and partners. Our co-operation against the full range of security threats and challenges is vital for both our countries and for Europe.
“France is an essential partner to prevent illegal migration. The UK continues to support the challenges faced by French law enforcement, operating under increasingly difficult circumstances to save lives and disrupt organised criminal gangs. Their commitment is exemplary, and the results are impressive.”
Mr Darmanin said: “In the follow-up of 2023, France and the UK will deepen their co-operation, which is essential in the very intense fight against violent and reckless smugglers’ networks.
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“They will also continue calling for a UK-EU agreement on migration issues so as to better manage illegal as well as legal migration.
“Besides, their joint action will also cover the security of major upcoming events this year, with a particular focus on the summer Olympics.
“The dialogue between our two countries should also help improve the fight against radicalisation as well as crimes committed online.”