Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said ‘recent numbers have been far too high’ (Image: Getty)
Unemployed migrants will have their visas revoked, under tough new Tory plans.
The declared “people who come here to work should actually do that” as they signalled a fresh crackdown if they win the next General Election.
Immigrants who have claimed benefits or lived in social housing will be barred from applying for the right to remain indefinitely.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Recent numbers have been far too high.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said ‘our country is not a dormitory, it’s our home’ (Image: Getty)
“That’s why we will introduce a binding annual cap on visa numbers, at far lower levels.
“People who come here to work should actually do that, or see their visa revoked. And we should only be granting Indefinite Leave to Remain to people who are making a net contribution to the economy – paying more in tax than they take out in services.”
The Office for National Statistics said net migration to the UK hit 906,000 in the year to June 2023, amid an influx of foreign students, a spike in non-EU workers, particularly in the health and social care sectors and the introduction of the and Hong Kong refugee visa schemes.
It fell to 728,000 last year as reforms to the immigration system began to bite.
Research by the Centre for Policy Studies revealed low-skilled migrants are costing taxpayers “more than they contribute at every stage of their time in the UK”.
Analysis of a new Office for Budget Responsibility report found that the amount they cost the state – through benefits, healthcare and pensions – dwarfs the amount they pay in tax.
The Centre for Policy Studies warned that the Government must “rebalance our migration policy” towards high-skilled workers.
And the insisted new restrictions should be placed on migrants.
Only foreign workers who have not claimed benefits or relied on social housing whilst living in the UK on work visas will be given the right to remain indefinitely.
Those with criminal records would also be barred, the said.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for migrants to face a 10-year wait before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain.
This is double the current five years and would signal “our country is not a dormitory”, Mrs Badenoch declared.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “Our country is not a dormitory, it’s our home. The right to citizenship and permanent residency should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK.
“That’s why we should double the length of time before people can qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to ten years.
“The Conservative Party is under new leadership. We’re going to tell the hard truths about immigration. The pace of immigration has been too quick and the numbers coming too high for meaningful integration. We need to slow down the track for citizenship. A UK passport should be a privilege not an automatic right.
“Far from reducing the number of people coming into Britain, the Labour Government is presiding over an incoming disaster. The Border Security Bill will actually make it easier for illegal immigrants to stay in the UK, let alone legal migrants. No one can trust Labour on immigration.”
Former Home Secretary banned overseas care workers and foreign students from bringing their family members with them to the UK.
The salary threshold for skilled workers was also increased to £38,700.
The previous government aimed to slash the number of people arriving in Britain by 300,000 a year with the measures.
But Home Secretary Yvette Cooper paused a planned increase in the salary threshold on those hoping to bring their family members to the UK.
This means foreign nationals will only need to earn £28,000 to bring their families to the UK.
Mr Philp is urging Prime Minister Sir and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to allow this to increase to £38,700.
It comes after criticism mounted over Labour’s plan to end the small boats crisis.
Mr Philp slammed Labour’s new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, claiming it creates a “pathway to citizenship” which will convince migrants to cross the Channel.
He said it is a “slap in the face” to law-abiding families, adding the Home Office’s new plan “sells our country out”.
Ms Cooper on Thursday outlined Labour’s plan to end the small boats crisis, insisting giving Border Force counter-terrorism-style powers will allow the UK to “identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs” faster.
But it also repeals large swathes of the Illegal Migration Act, which denied illegal migrants the right to claim asylum or stay in the UK.
Mr Philp told the Daily Express: “Labour’s new Border Bill has nothing to do with securing our borders – it’s about surrendering them.
“It is a total capitulation to people smugglers and is a charter for illegal immigrants.
“The Labour Bill now offers illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship, rewarding those who flout our laws with the ultimate prize: a British passport.
“We will fight this tooth and nail.
“While hard-working, law-abiding families play by the rules, Labour wants to fast-track criminals so the Home Secretary can pretend to be taking action.
“Let me be clear. Incentivising illegal crossings like this will only serve to fuel the human trafficking gangs that profit from human misery.”