Interactive: Theresa May says the Conservatives may miss their immigration targets, but how high is UK immigration? November 23, 2014 The home secretary Theresa May has all but admitted that the government will be unable to meet its target of limiting immigration to the tens of thousands in time for next year’s general election. What is more, David Cameron is expected to announce bans on benefits for UK migrants, despite the data showing immigrants are [...]
Cameron plans to ban EU migrant benefits following Mark Reckless win for Ukip at Rochester and Strood November 23, 2014 David Cameron will announce plans to ban benefits for some EU migrants this week, as he takes a tougher stance on Europe and tries to ward off the political threat posed by the UK Independence Party (Ukip). A report being published tomorrow by think tank Open Europe reveals that the Prime Minister is working [...]
Mark Reckless splits with Nigel Farage on Ukip immigration policy after Rochester by-election win November 22, 2014 Barely 24 hours after being sworn in as Ukip's second elected MP Marke Reckless is as already criticising his party leader Nigel Farage. Speaking to the Times, Reckless said Ukip's immigration policy "changed on Wednesday, and I'm a bit sore about how I came out of that". Speaking on Tuesday at a hustings event during [...]
Ukip wins Rochester and Strood by-election in spite of Mark Reckless’ immigration comments November 21, 2014 Mark Reckless has won in Rochester and Strood, gaining its second parliamentary seat. It was a night of bitter disappointment for the Conservative party, who, despite not being favourites, had invested much in the conservation of their seat. In the end Reckless, an ex-Tory MP whose defection forced the by-election, won by 2,920 [...]
Ukip rows back on Mark Reckless immigration comments ahead of Rochester & Strood by-elecion November 19, 2014 Ukip has sought to distance itself from comments made by its Rochester & Strood candidate Mark Reckless, after he suggested certain European migrants could be asked to leave Britain if the party came to power. Speaking yesterday at a hustings with other Rochester & Strood by-election candidates, Reckless said a Ukip government would have [...]
Labour: Ban out-of-work benefits payments to EU migrants for two years November 18, 2014 Labour has vowed to clamp down on the payment of out-of-work benefits to EU migrants in the UK if elected next year, promising to withhold payment for two years. Under current rules, EU migrants coming to the UK are able to claim benefits after three months, but Labour would increase this period to two years. [...]
Labour’s Yvette Cooper on immigration, £10 visas and Ukip’s make-believe “nostalgia” November 18, 2014 Labour will charge visitors entering the UK from the US and 55 other countries around £10 a go as part of a wider pledge to get immigration under control. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper – who some say is a contender for the next Labour leader – outlined the plans today, saying the funds [...]
John Major on immigration: “We’re not going to close our doors” says former Prime Minister, but a short term plan is needed November 16, 2014 Sir John Major has said that Britain would not close its doors to immigrants, but a short term influx of migrants from EU countries in recession needed to be addressed. “We’ve always been an outward looking nation. We’re not going to close our doors, and nor should we economically or politically, but there is in [...]
John Major: UK not opposed to free movement, but EU must do more to help limit immigration November 13, 2014 Later today, former Prime Minister John Major will warn an audience in Germany of the consequences of a split between the UK and the rest of the EU. Speaking to the supporters of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats in Berlin, he is expected to describe the two parties as being "close to a [...]
Quotas on immigration would be a disaster for London’s tech startups November 12, 2014 Political debates over the benefits and drawbacks of immigration will no doubt rage on for years to come. But while the opposing sides pick apart the evidence over the impact of migrants on the public purse, one thing is clear: London’s tech ecosystem faces a very significant skills shortage. Government should be doing all it [...]