Legal migration curbs delayed AGAIN amid Cabinet bickering – as PM slammed for not taking immigration issue seriously
LEGAL migration curbs have been held up again amid Cabinet bickering.
Sir Keir Starmer promised last November to bring forward his immigration blueprint “imminently” to bring down net annual arrivals from a record 906,000 in 2023.
Despite expectations it would be announced before Easter, it has been put on ice until after the local elections in May.
The Home Office and the Education Department are at loggerheads over planned reductions to overseas graduates.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper wants to make it harder for foreign students to stay without high-skilled jobs.
Insiders also say ministers want to give businesses a reprieve amid the fallout from Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Downing Street yesterday rejected allegations the PM was not taking net migration seriously, saying the work was of “critical importance”.
Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “It’s absolutely critical that we reduce the sky high levels of migration, which quadrupled under the last government.
“The work ongoing will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to the system.”
The plans will “link immigration, skills and visas” meaning bosses who hire from abroad will have to ramp up training of homegrown talent.
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