Keir Starmer has accused the Conservative Party of conducting an “open borders experiment” following the release of new statistics showing net migration to the UK reached a record high of nearly 1 million during the tenures of Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
Starmer’s remarks came after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that net migration hit 906,000 in the year ending June 2023, significantly higher than the previous estimate of 740,000. This figure represents a substantial increase compared to pre-Brexit levels.
At a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer criticized the Conservative government for failing to manage immigration effectively. He stated, “Failure on this scale isn’t just bad luck. This happened by design, not accident.” He argued that the government intentionally reformed policies to liberalize immigration and used Brexit to facilitate this change.
In response to these criticisms, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new agreement with Iraq aimed at combating human trafficking and improving the visa system. He also called for an explanation from Kemi Badenoch regarding her party’s approach to immigration following Brexit.
The new deal with Iraq includes measures to enhance cooperation in tackling organized crime and speeding up the return of rejected asylum seekers. The UK government plans to invest £800,000 in training and support for the Kurdistan Regional Government, as well as disrupting smuggling networks that have facilitated illegal crossings into the UK.
Despite these efforts, human rights organizations have expressed concern over the treatment of detainees in Iraq, citing reports of torture and corruption within Iraqi state agencies.
Cooper emphasized that the agreement respects international law and human rights standards. Meanwhile, Starmer has praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her efforts to reduce irregular migration through agreements with other countries.
This year, Iraqis have become one of the largest groups attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, with 1,624 arrivals by September. The asylum grant rate for Iraqis in the UK stands at 38% as of March 2024.
Badenoch recently acknowledged that her party has struggled with immigration issues and called for a new approach under her leadership. Starmer responded by demanding accountability from the Conservatives, stating that simply admitting mistakes is “unforgivable.”
He outlined plans for a white paper aimed at reducing immigration by reforming the points-based visa system and increasing training opportunities for local workers.
Chris Philp, shadow home secretary, acknowledged that migration numbers are too high but asserted that under Badenoch’s leadership, there will be a new strategy focusing on stricter immigration controls.
The ONS has revised net migration figures significantly upward for both June 2023 and December 2023, indicating a trend that remains high historically but is beginning to decline. Government spending on asylum has also risen sharply, reflecting ongoing challenges in managing immigration effectively.
Related topics:
- New Visa Rules for Colombian Visitors Start Today, Ukraine Schemes
- Immigration and Housing Woes Fuel Turbulent Election Campaign in Ireland
- Exploring the Role of Temporary Foreign Workers in Canada: Key Insights
