Sir Sadiq Khan has defended immigrants as “not spongers or skivers” as the row over Sir Keir Starmer’s warning of Britain becoming an “island of strangers” intensified.
In a Downing Street speech on Monday, the Prime Minister vowed that the Labour Government would “take back control of our borders” and close the book on a “squalid chapter” for politics and the economy.
The London mayor, speaking on Tuesday, made clear that he would not have used the same language as the Prime Minister, saying: “Those aren’t words that I would use.”
Sir Sadiq, whose parents came to London from Pakistan, said: “I recognise every day the massive contribution the successive wave of migrants has made to our city economically, socially and culturally.
“I want to thank those who are migrants for what they do for our great city.
“I am the son of immigrants…and I can say from my own personal experience… that I am very proud of being a Londoner and a Brit.”
Sir Sadiq said he believed Sir Keir was referring to the promises made on immigration by Brexiteers and was not seeking to criticise the contribution made by immigrants to London over successive generations.
The mayor went on to say that skilled immigrants were of net benefit to the economy – unlike “home grown” Britons, who he said cost the UK money.
He said a skilled migrant would contribute £16,000 a year towards the economy – including the cost of the public services they may use – and their family would contribute £12,000 a year, net of public services.
In contrast, the family of a British skilled worker took £4,400 from the economy.
He said more than a third of the fastest growing businesses in the UK were founded or co-founded by migrants.
“The idea that skilled migrants are spongers or skivers just isn’t the case,” the mayor said.
But he added: “I think we should have control of our borders.”
Appearing on his regular “Speak with Sadiq” phone-in on LBC, the mayor was asked about the Prime Minister’s speech on immigration on Monday.
A number of London left-wing Labour MPs went public on Tuesday with their criticism of Sir Keir’s remarks.
Asked whether the row provided an opportunity to run for Labour leader, Sir Sadiq said this was “mischief-making”.
Asked when he would decide whether to run for a fourth term as mayor in 2028, Sir Sadiq said: “Wait and see – nearer the next election.”
He added: “I only won a history-making, record-breaking landslide victory a few months ago. Let’s wait and see what the future holds.”
