Revealed: Labour’s blueprint for even MORE migration
Plan to give Scotland, Wales and English mayors powers to bring in migrants
SCOTLAND, Wales and English regions could be given powers to demand higher levels of immigration under Labour policy plans.
The party’s secret immigration blueprint contains a controversial ‘override mechanism’ to be handed out when parts of the UK want more migrants.
The leaked document, which was written by Mr Corbyn’s domestic policy adviser, prompted Theresa May to accuse the Labour leader of planning ‘uncontrolled immigration’ if he wins power.
The Prime Minister warned this would heap pressure on public services and lower workers’ wages. She promised ‘proper control of our immigration’ under a Tory government.
Speaking on the campaign trail in Plymouth, Mrs May said: ‘There’s a very clear choice at this election – there’s a very clear difference between myself and Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party.
‘I want to ensure we are controlling migration because too high uncontrolled migration puts pressure on our public services, but it also lowers wages at the lower end of the income scale.
‘I want to ensure we control migration. Jer- emy Corbyn and the Labour Party want uncontrolled migration.’
The five-page policy paper showed Labour is considering a visa for ‘low-skilled, unskilled or seasonal work’, it was revealed yesterday. It also proposes scrapping rules which restrict foreign spouses coming to Britain unless they can show they will not be a ‘burden’ on the taxpayer.
The document – which was marked ‘confidential’ – suggests Scotland, Wales, English regions, and businesses, could be given their own powers to request more migrants.
It states: ‘The system we propose does provide government with the tools to manage the system better, to focus better on our economic and social needs and to provide employers and regions with an override mechanism when we get it wrong.
‘We would work with national, regional and local administrations, as well as established and emerging businesses to identify skill sets shortages in the British labour market.’
Think- tank Migrationwatch warned the plans would ‘very likely mean losing control over immigration altogether’. Its chairman, Lord Green of Deddington, drew parallels with 1997 when Labour promised reform but allowed migrant numbers to explode.
He accused the party of keeping secret plans to increase immigration until after the election.
‘We have been here before – Labour are low-key about immigration before they get into power but very different in office,’ Lord Green said. ‘ The last time they came to power in 1997 they also promised to reform the system.
‘Within three years immigration had trebled from 50,000 to 150,000. That was even before they opened the gates to Eastern Europe.
‘These proposals are very likely to result in losing control over immigration altogether.’ Mr Cor- byn was confronted over the leaked policy plan at a press briefing in central London. He admitted it had been discussed by his team but claimed the party’s policies were in its manifesto. He made no attempt to claim migration numbers would fall. Mr Corbyn said: ‘What you’ve been reading is a document that’s been discussed between researchers in our teams … Our policy is in our manifesto – that is the policy that we will be carrying out.
‘Under managed migration which would come after we leave the European Union it would be based on the needs of our economy and the rights of family reunion.’
A Labour spokesman said: ‘After Britain leaves the EU, free movement of labour will come to an end. Labour will introduce fair rules and managed migration, based on the needs of our economy.
‘As part of our work in exploring the options, a number of discussion papers have been produced. This is part of one such document. It is not a statement of Labour policy, which is set out in our manifesto.’
‘Losing control altogether’