MPs call for action to reduce UK migration

MINISTERS must reduce immigration numbers to respect the wishes of Brexit voters amid concerns Jeremy Hunt is prioritising economic growth, Tory MPs said yesterday.

The Office for Budget Responsibility forecast on Thursday that net migration to Britain will remain above 200,000 for several years.

The 2019 Conservative manifesto promised ‘overall numbers will come down’ and stated ‘the vote to leave the EU was a vote to take back control of our borders’.

The number of people arriving in the UK has fallen from 313,000 at the time of the last general election, to 239,000 in 2021, and it will fall again to 224,000 next year.

But predictions that it will remain above 200,000 for the long term infuriated Tories, who want to reduce immigration to the ‘tens of thousands’ promised by David Cameron.

Mr Hunt argued yesterday that immigration is required to boost growth. He said: ‘We will need migration for the years ahead – that will be very important for the economy.’

The Chancellor insisted Home Secretary Suella Braverman backs his plans, saying: ‘Her priority is to reduce illegal migration and deal with the small boats issue.’

Downing Street said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remained committed to reducing migration in the long term. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘We had a manifesto commitment to reduce migration and we have to deliver.’