Ukip leader aims for zero migration
CHANCELLOR PHILIP Hammond is preparing a “revolutionary” budget to get the Government back on track after weeks of speculation about his political future, according to reports.
Cabinet ministers have been asked to come up with “bold” proposals after plans for a “safety first” financial statement were dropped following weeks of Tory turmoil.
Mr Hammond is under intense pressure after angering Brexiteers in the party by refusing to prepare for the possibility of Britain and Brussels failing to reach an agreement over a Brexit deal.
Concerns the Chancellor is “trying to frustrate the negotiating process” have also been reportedly raised by the DUP, which props up the minority Tory government.
Mr Hammond is said to be looking at measures to boost housing, including urging Prime Minister Theresa May to agree to allow building on green belt as well as letting councils borrow more to help create new homes.
He is also considering writing off student loans and dropping opposition to borrowing to boost investment, according to
A Government source told the newspaper: “Philip has said that we have to have a radical budget, something that is a big offer to the nation.”
The DUP, meanwhile, is said to be “very concerned” about Mr Hammond’s behaviour. A party source told
“It is evident to us that he is winding people up and causing unnecessary division within the Conservative Party at a crucial time in the Brexit negotiations, and his behaviour is very unsettling.
“One has to wonder what his motivation is.
“He appears to be at least highly sceptical about Brexit and one could conclude from his current position and his behaviour that he is trying to frustrate the negotiating process and to undermine the Prime Minister.
“The DUP will continue to keep a close watch on the situation but we think that Mrs May needs to do something to rein her Chancellor in and to make it clear to him that this kind of behaviour has to stop.
“It is not for us to dictate to the Prime Minister how she should manage her Cabinet but as informed observers with a vested interest in making Brexit work we are deeply concerned.
“If this behaviour continues the Chancellor’s position becomes untenable.” BRITAIN IN an “ideal world” should be aiming for zero net migration, according to Ukip’s new leader.
But Henry Bolton said he was not suggesting this to be practical, noting it would be “very difficult” to hit such a target.
He rejected a request to provide a figure on how many people should be entering the UK, describing it an “arbitrary” figure and that “nobody listening here will really believe” it can be hit.
Mr Bolton’s desire for zero net migration echoes his party’s 2017 general election commitment pushed by his predecessor Paul Nuttall.
In 2015, Ukip under Nigel Farage promised a temporary block on low-skilled and unskilled migration and a limit of 50,000 high-skilled immigrants a year. Mr Bolton said the Government needs to “ramp up” policing and reverse local government cuts.