PM Keir Starmer has strongly criticised the previous Conservative government’s approach to immigration, describing their policies as a “different order of failure. The Prime Minister accused the Tories of running a “one-nation experiment in open borders” and failing to fulfil repeated promises to reduce net migration. This article delves into Starmer’s pointed remarks, explores the latest immigration statistics, and examines Labour’s plans to address migration challenges.
A Legacy of Broken Promises on Immigration
Speaking to reporters in Downing Street, Keir Starmer highlighted what he views as systemic failures of the Conservative Party over the past decade.
“Time and again the Conservative Party promised they would get the numbers down. Time and again they failed, and now the chorus of excuses has begun,” he said.
Keir Starmer emphasised that the scale of this failure was not a matter of oversight or external factors but was instead the result of deliberate policy choices. He stated, “A failure on this scale isn’t just bad luck, it isn’t a global trend or taking your eye off the ball. No, this is a different order of failure. This happened by design, not accident.”
Immigration Statistics Paint a Complex Picture
Recent figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show net migration has fallen by 20% in 2024, dropping from a record 906,000 in 2023 to 728,000. However, this decline comes after significant revisions to previous years data, which revealed that net migration in 2023 was far higher than initially reported.
The Home Office data also shows a sharp decline in visa issuances, with a 26% drop compared to the previous year. Work-related visas accounted for the largest proportion (453,056), followed by study visas (443,854) and family visas (86,942). Changes introduced by the Conservative government in early 2024, such as the ban on overseas care workers and restrictions on dependants, are thought to have contributed significantly to the decline.
Labour’s Vision: Reducing Immigration Without Arbitrary Caps
The Prime Minister made it clear that Labour’s approach to immigration will differ from the Conservatives, particularly in avoiding “arbitrary caps” on net migration.
“I want to see immigration come down significantly. I said that before the election, I said that during the election, I say it again here today,” Starmer noted.
He argued that caps imposed by previous governments had little impact, saying, “We had a supposed cap in place for the best part of a decade, and it didn’t have any meaningful impact on reducing immigration.”
Instead, Starmer emphasised targeted reforms aimed at addressing the root causes of high migration levels, stating, “That means bearing down on the influences that have driven it up this high with the measures that I set out a moment ago.”
Reforming the Points-Based System and Tackling Abuse
Labour’s forthcoming white paper on immigration reform promises comprehensive changes. Starmer indicated that the government will take a stricter approach to visa route abuses and reform the points-based immigration system to ensure that it aligns with domestic training priorities.
“We will publish a white paper imminently, which sets out a plan to reduce immigration,” he announced.
Starmer criticised lax enforcement under previous administrations, saying, “For far too long, we’ve been casual about malpractice in our labour market, which sends a clear signal overseas that we’re a soft touch. Well, no more – our rules will be enforced.”
Employers who fail to meet these new standards will face serious consequences. “Any employers who refuse to play ball, they’ll be banned from hiring overseas labour,” he warned.
Addressing the Asylum Challenge
While net migration numbers have decreased, the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has risen significantly since Labour took office. The latest data shows that 35,651 asylum seekers were housed in hotels as of September 2024, up from 29,585 in June.
Migration Minister Seema Malhotra acknowledged the issue, stating, “We need to make sure that we are bringing hotel use down. We have a credible plan for reducing numbers coming here. We will see hotels closing as we return those who have a no right to be here.”
Starmer’s comments mark a decisive shift in the government’s rhetoric and approach to immigration. By placing blame squarely on the Conservatives policy choices, Keir Starmer seeks to redefine Labour’s stance on immigration as firm but fair. With promises of reforms to the points-based system, stricter enforcement of labour market rules, and a commitment to reducing net migration, Labour is striving to rebuild public trust. But as these ambitious pledges face the test of implementation, one question remains: can Labour truly deliver on its promises, or will the future bring yet another chapter of unmet expectations?
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