May’s immigration target is ‘out of reach’, says ex-official
THERESA MAY’S target to cut net migration to below 100,000 is “out of reach” and Brexit is unlikely to help, a former top Home Office mandarin said yesterday.
Former Permanent Secretary Sir David Normington said it would be “very difficult” to keep track of who comes into and leaves the country without introducing identity cards.
A target to cut the net migration level – the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country – to the tens of thousands was introduced when Mrs May was Home Secretary but the level remains more than double that.
The Prime Minister has remained committed to the aim despite calls from some Conservatives to drop it.
Sir David said a hard cap on migration would be “very inflexible” and would probably not be met.
He told BBC Radio 4’s “I think it is fine for the Government to signal that it wants to reduce immigration over a period if that’s what it decides to do.
“Targets get discredited if they are never met. I’d say to the Government, if you are going to have a target it would be better that you set one that is achievable to begin with, and that what we don’t have is one that is out of reach.
“I really do think that for the moment a target which is below 100,000, which is what they have always said, is out of reach.”
It came amid reports that Mrs May wants to announce tough new immigration policies.
According to The Times, the PM will try and use the Conservative Party conference later this month to toughen immigration rules to win over revolting Tory Brexiteers and steady her leadership.
Any move to restrict EU migration could however restrict Britain’s trade access to the bloc.
Meanwhile, Labour committed to making EU citizens compete on a level playing field with migrants from other countries after Brexit for new “streamlined work visas”.
These will grant residence rights to people with the skills Britain needs, “whether it is doctors, or scientists, or care workers”.
Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said non-EU citizens, including those from Commonwealth nations, are treated as “second-class migrants”.
And she attacked Mrs May’s net migration target by insisting economic needs must guide policy, not “meaningless and arbitrary targets”.
Ms Abbott used a central London speech to insist a reformed immigration system is needed to put prosperity and jobs first.