Johnson piles into Tory immigration row over numbers that rose on his watch
Shameless Boris Johnson has waded into the escalating Tory row over immigration after arrivals to the UK hit an all-time excessive.
The former Prime Minister piled stress on Rishi Sunak to deliver down internet migration, which rose to 745,000 within the 12 months to December 2022 – totally on his watch. Estimates from the Office for National Statistics put the determine – the distinction between the variety of individuals arriving and leaving the UK legally – thrice increased than the Tories promised of their 2019 manifesto.
The figures triggered a wave of Tory infighting, with ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman saying it was a “slap in the face” to voters and calls for for quick motion from backbenchers. Mr Johnson mentioned the numbers have been “way, way too big” and known as for a £40,000 minimal wage threshold for many employees coming to the UK. Ms Braverman beforehand known as for a rise to the present £26,000 threshold.
Mr Johnson additionally warned that failing to behave on immigration ranges risked sparking far-right riots seen Dublin or the rise of politicians like anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders within the Netherlands. Writing within the Daily Mail, he mentioned: “People will not accept demographic change at this kind of pace — even in the most achingly liberal of countries and capital cities. Look at what is happening in Dublin, where that lovely and happy city seems to have been engulfed by race riots.
“Look at Holland, the place a patently Islamophobic candidate, Geert Wilders, has simply received 35 seats within the parliament and should but grow to be prime minister. The individuals of Ireland and Holland, in my expertise, are among the many nicest, kindest, most beneficiant on this planet; and but there are plainly giant numbers in each international locations who’re beginning to fear that one thing has gone incorrect, and that the EU system of free motion — a border-free Europe for the whole 450million-strong territory — has too many downsides.”
It comes as the Prime Minister refused to apologise for failing to get to grips with a key Tory election promise but admitted numbers were “too high”. Speaking during a visit to car manufacturer Nissan in Sunderland, Mr Sunak declined to say sorry, but said: “I’m very clear that the degrees of migration are too excessive they usually’ve obtained to return right down to extra sustainable ranges.”
The PM insisted he had already clamped down on the number of family members international students can bring with them – giving “a sense of my commitment to bringing migration down”. He added: “And if we see additional abuse of the system, after all we’re ready to behave to do extra.”
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick is pushing for a crackdown on foreign health and care workers amid a furious backlash from Tory right-wingers over spiralling numbers of people coming to the UK. The PM declined to comment on the plan which would put a ban on foreign social care workers from bringing dependents, and a cap on NHS and social care visas.
The blueprint would also see the shortage occupation list scrapped, which allows foreign workers to be paid less than the going rate in roles where there’s a shortage of skilled workers. Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea warned that the struggling care system would “collapse” without overseas workers.
“Migrant workers are propping up a crumbling care system that the government has refused to fund properly,” she mentioned. “Anyone calling for a cap on numbers or different restrictions on the important employees the nation depends upon has no understanding of the healthcare system, and the pressures it faces.”
Labour chairwoman Anneliese Dodds mentioned it was “fairly extraordinary” that such policies were only being suggested now – after 13 years of Tory rule. “If we have been speaking a couple of correct plan, really getting a grip somewhat than gimmicks, then we might be in a distinct scenario,” she mentioned.
