Migrants risk their lives in the hope of a new life in the UK (Image: Getty)
Extremists and populists will seize power in the UK if the Government cannot take control of immigration, Australia’s former foreign minister has warned.
Alexander Downer condemned Britain’s immigration system as a “legal shambles” as a influential think unveiled proposals for a radical overhaul.
Today’s Policy Exchange report calls for illegal migrants to be transferred to Ascension Island – a British territory in the South Atlantic.
It recommends a limited number of work visas are auctioned off to ensure they go to the highest quality candidates – with the proceeds used to boost wages in the care system.
The report also calls for a system of “sureties” so visa holders will face a “major financial penalty” if they do not leave on time.
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It also presses for a cross-European coalition to reform the European Convention on Human Rights – with the UK ready to pull out if this is not delivered.
Mr Downer pushed for bold action, saying: “British government will have sooner or later to get control of the immigration program. If they fail to do so, we can be sure populists and extremists will get elected who promise to do it.”
He warns that the UK is an “ attractive destination for migrants” and the “public have become deeply disillusioned with the incapacity of major parties to manage the migration programme”.
The former foreign minister says a cap on numbers is needed which takes into account the availability of jobs, school places, housing and “the capacity of the health service to deal with increasing numbers”.
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Stephen Webb, the author of the report and a former Home Office civil servant, said: “It is absolutely possible to reduce immigration numbers dramatically. Previous claims about the economic benefits of mass migration are looking increasingly threadbare…
“There is now real scope for an alliance across Europe for fundamental reform of the ECHR which the Government should explore, but under the clear condition that the UK will leave the jurisdiction of the Strasbourg court if serious reform is not achieved.”
A Reform UK spokesman said: “This report accurately highlights the issues but once again fails to see the necessity of leaving the ECHR. The simple fact is that both Labour and the have failed Britain and allowed an open door policy for legal and illegal immigration.
“Only Reform UK are offering net zero immigration, leaving the ECHR and deporting anyone who illegally enters the country.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Under our Plan for Change, we will restore order to our broken immigration system by linking our immigration, skills and visa systems so we can grow our domestic workforce, end the reliance on overseas labour and boost economic growth. We have also begun delivering a major surge in immigration enforcement and returns activity to remove people with no right to be in the UK and ensure the rules are respected and enforced, with 16,400 people removed since the new government came into power.”