James Saunders
Guest Reporter
Labour's plans to slash net migration may fail to cut "catastrophically high" figures, Government advisers have warned.
As part of its annual report today, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has told ministers not to go after a "one-size-fits-all" approach as Sir Keir Starmer wrestles with "off the scale" numbers of migrants arriving in Britain.
Though Starmer has so far moved to "reduce reliance on overseas workers" as part of his skills policy, migration failed to feature in his so-called "milestones" just days ago.
The MAC report has cautioned Labour to do the opposite, with its its chairman Professor Brian Bell warning: "We would caution the Government against seeing linking immigration and skills policy as a one-size-fits all approach to bringing down net migration."
Instead, Prof Bell said his committee would be encouraging Labour "to continue to consider individual circumstances within sectors".
The latest net migration figures - 728,000 people in the year ending June 2024 - have shown a 20 per cent drop compared to last year, but the MAC report says migration for care worker jobs is "still substantial".
"If the Government want a functioning health and care sector, with lower reliance on immigration, more still needs to be done to fill roles domestically," advisers said, and have pushed for more funding as a result.
Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet has echoed the body's warning - telling Labour to "shake off its complacency" as an urgent priority.
However, Mehmet disagreed with the MAC report on potential solutions to the crisis.
MORE ON MIGRATION:
He told GB News: "The MAC is right to say focusing just on skills policy will not be enough to bring down net migration from its catastrophically high levels.
"And while it may appear to be falling, a 'provisional' 728,000 for the year to June is still way too high and totally unsustainable.
"Even half this figure will lead to millions being added to our population - nine million in the next 25 years.
"The Government must shake off its complacency and urgently bring in policies that lead to balanced net migration.
"An overall cap, firm action on those spinning out temporary stays, and a serious enforcement effort are all essential if net migration is to be drastically reduced."
The Prime Minister has accused the former Conservative Government of running "a one-nation experiment in open borders" and has claimed cutting migration "will only be done with a serious plan".
However, Starmer's failure to set concrete targets has been met with fury.
Reacting to his "milestones", Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Starmer's plans, which prioritise housebuilding, schools, Net Zero and growth, "offer no change and guarantee economic failure".
Find Out More...
As part of its annual report today, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has told ministers not to go after a "one-size-fits-all" approach as Sir Keir Starmer wrestles with "off the scale" numbers of migrants arriving in Britain.
Though Starmer has so far moved to "reduce reliance on overseas workers" as part of his skills policy, migration failed to feature in his so-called "milestones" just days ago.
The MAC report has cautioned Labour to do the opposite, with its its chairman Professor Brian Bell warning: "We would caution the Government against seeing linking immigration and skills policy as a one-size-fits all approach to bringing down net migration."
Instead, Prof Bell said his committee would be encouraging Labour "to continue to consider individual circumstances within sectors".
The latest net migration figures - 728,000 people in the year ending June 2024 - have shown a 20 per cent drop compared to last year, but the MAC report says migration for care worker jobs is "still substantial".
"If the Government want a functioning health and care sector, with lower reliance on immigration, more still needs to be done to fill roles domestically," advisers said, and have pushed for more funding as a result.
Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet has echoed the body's warning - telling Labour to "shake off its complacency" as an urgent priority.
However, Mehmet disagreed with the MAC report on potential solutions to the crisis.
MORE ON MIGRATION:
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- Migrant crisis: More than 35,000 small boat migrants cross the Channel illegally so far this year
He told GB News: "The MAC is right to say focusing just on skills policy will not be enough to bring down net migration from its catastrophically high levels.
"And while it may appear to be falling, a 'provisional' 728,000 for the year to June is still way too high and totally unsustainable.
"Even half this figure will lead to millions being added to our population - nine million in the next 25 years.
"The Government must shake off its complacency and urgently bring in policies that lead to balanced net migration.
"An overall cap, firm action on those spinning out temporary stays, and a serious enforcement effort are all essential if net migration is to be drastically reduced."
The Prime Minister has accused the former Conservative Government of running "a one-nation experiment in open borders" and has claimed cutting migration "will only be done with a serious plan".
However, Starmer's failure to set concrete targets has been met with fury.
Reacting to his "milestones", Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Starmer's plans, which prioritise housebuilding, schools, Net Zero and growth, "offer no change and guarantee economic failure".
Find Out More...