Immigration ‘absolutely’ crucial for UK economy, insists Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn has remained tight-lipped about the contents of his party’s general election manifesto but has insisted migration into Britain is vital to maintain the economy.

Immigration re-emerged as a key election battleground and was said to have been a “difficult” issue for Labour ahead of a meeting on Saturday to hammer out the final details of their manifesto, which will be unveiled on Thursday.

Mr Corbyn refused to confirm whether free movement of people would end if the UK leaves the EU under a Labour government, while shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth refused to say whether immigration would increase or decrease.

Mr Corbyn told The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One: “A lot of European Union nationals have made their homes in this country and made a massive contribution to our society. A lot of British people live in different parts of the European Union.

“Many of those families have been through unbelievable levels of stress so they absolutely must have the right to remain and be able to bring their families here.

“We cannot exist in isolation, therefore there has to be migration into Britain in order to maintain our economy and our services.

“That will be reflected in the policy you will see on Thursday.”

Mr Corbyn was asked to give his own view on whether the UK should leave the EU.

He told The Andrew Marr Show: “We’re going to put that choice to the British people and they will make that decision.

“We’ll negotiate within three months a credible, sensible option of Leave and put that alongside Remain in a referendum.”