MIGRATION MESS
New minister has no answers as Cabinet Brexit split widens
THE Tories are in chaos over migration after Theresa May’s new Immigration Minister refused five times to say when they will hit its “tens of thousands” target.
Brandon Lewis told BBC’s Today Programme it remains Government policy to cut net migration to that level – but was unable to say when it might happen. “If this was an easy thing to do we would have already done it,” he gabbled. Mr Lewis also claimed free movement of people from the EU will end on the day of Britain’s Brexit in March 2019.
But leading Tories, including his boss, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, are planning a “transition deal” that will allow it to continue for several more years.
She said: “We will need that grace period for a while before the full changes come in.”
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Ed Davey said: “The Government is in disarray. It’s time to end this chaotic approach and keep the UK in the single market.”