A Labour MP has warned Sir Keir Starmer is “laying the groundwork for Nigel Farage” with his language on migration on Monday.
Speaking to The Independent, Clive Lewis said the prime minister’s comments about an “island of strangers” risked “legitimising Reform’s worldview and giving it a home in the political mainstream”.
He said: “Once legitimised, he - and those like him - will feel emboldened to go even further.”
The prime minister gave a speech in Downing Street on Monday morning to announce that every area of the UK’s “broken” immigration system will be tightened.
Refugee charity Care4Calais accused Starmer of fanning the fire of the far-right by using language like “an island of strangers” to discuss immigration.
“This is dangerous language for any Prime Minister to use,” Care4Calais CEO, Steve Smith, said, adding that he should apologise.
Under the new white paper proposals, migrants will be told they must learn English and “earn the privilege” to live in the UK.
Migrants will also be told they need to spend a decade in the UK before they can apply for citizenship and English language requirements will be increased
Key Points
- UK risks becoming 'island of strangers', says Starmer
- Starmer must apologise for 'dangerous' language - Refugee charity
- Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech not anti-migrant, says minister
- Starmer ‘laying the groundwork for Farage’, Labour MP warns
- What are the new migration proposals?
Starmer ‘laying the groundwork for Farage’, Labour MP warns
15:43 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A Labour MP has warned Sir Keir Starmer is “laying the groundwork for Nigel Farage” with his language on migration on Monday.
Speaking to The Independent, Clive Lewis said the prime minister’s comments about a “land of strangers” risked “legitimising Reform’s worldview and giving it a home in the political mainstream”.
He said: “Once legitimised, he - and those like him - will feel emboldened to go even further.
“At its heart, this is about pride, hubris, and a refusal by those in charge to admit that their strategy has backfired. We are now in crisis mode.
“Nobody on the progressive left is against a serious, balanced approach to immigration - one that meets our economic needs, fills gaps in care, supports universities, and treats people with dignity. But that has to be paired with real action to make this country better - for everyone.”
Home secretary to give statement
15:12 , Athena StavrouThis afternoon, the home secretary is expected to give a statement in the Commons.
Yvette Cooper will address fellow MPs at 5pm after the government unveiled its white paper outlining new immigration reforms.
Farage mocks PM as ‘playing catch up’ with Reform over immigration crackdown
15:29 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage has mocked Sir Keir Starmer as “playing catch up” with Reform UK over his immigration crackdown.
The Reform UK leader rubbished the prime minister’s claims his overhaul is not in response to the rise of the populist right-wing party.He said: “He knows that amongst the great British public this issue rates even higher than the health service, and he's just basically playing catch up with Reform.”
And he told GB News: “This is not the conversation of the North London dinner party set, believe you me. I mean, many of the things he said are the same things I've been saying for over 20 years, and that's Starmer's problem, insincerity. What does this man actually believe in other than trying to keep power?”
Starmer condemned for ‘channelling language of Enoch Powell’
14:57The Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has been condemned for “channelling the language of Enoch Powell’s ‘rivers of blood’ speech” by warning of Britain becoming a “land of strangers”.
Labour MP Clive Lewis told The Independent it was a phrase “loaded with a long and toxic history on the far right of British politics” and even if unintentional it is “simply not sustainable” language to use.
“We have a sitting PM using that rhetoric while pushing through some of the most draconian immigration measures we’ve seen in decades,” he said.
Mr Lewis warned: “This kind of language doesn’t just alienate communities - it drives people away from our country altogether. And if those at the top think this is a clever tactic to win another five years by rolling out the red carpet for Nigel Farage, they’re mistaken. We are losing far more progressive voters than we are gaining from Reform UK.”
Labour MP condemns Starmer's 'anti-migrant rhetoric'
14:45 , Athena StavrouNadia Whittome, a left-wing Labour MP, has criticised Sir Keir Starmer for his immigration reform speech.
Posting on social media, the MP for Nottingham East said: “The step-up in anti-migrant rhetoric from the government is shameful and dangerous.
“Migrants are our neighbours, friends and family.
“To suggest that Britain risks becoming “an island of strangers” because of immigration mimics the scaremongering of the far-right.
“Blaming migrants for a housing crisis and failing public services lets the real culprits off the hook: landlordism, chronic underinvestment and deepening inequality.
“Labour was elected to tackle those, not parrot Reform’s scapegoating, which will never improve people’s lives.”
Immigration white paper could 'damage integration'
14:36 , Athena StavrouThe government has been warned that its new immigration white paper “could damage integration”.
Responding to the measures unveiled by Starmer today, Sunder Katwala, director of the British Future thinktank, said: “This white paper rightly says that integration matters, but some of its measures could damage rather than encourage integration.
“It’s hard to see how a ten-year wait before someone can become British helps them integrate. Most of the public are happy for people to be eligible for citizenship after five years. The government should be proactive on citizenship, not punitive.”
Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech not anti-migrant, says minister
14:34 , Alexander ButlerSir Keir Starmer’s “island of strangers” remark is not anti-migrant, the minister for migration and citizenship said, amid backlash from charities and backbenchers.
Seema Malhotra said the PM meant Britain risked becoming a country where communities “live side by side” without “common ties that bind us together”
The prime minister gave a speech in Downing Street on Monday morning to announce that every area of the UK’s “broken” immigration system will be tightened
In an interview on the World at One, Ms Malhotra said: “What that really recognises is that we risk being communities that live side by side, rather than work and walk together.”
Brexit's role in soaring immigration cannot be ignored
14:18 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Brexit's role in the soaring net migration figures cannot be ignored, as the Home Office's immigration white paper makes clear.
In the run up to, and years following, the EU referendum, net migration was hovering between 200,000 and 300,000.
But once Britain officially left the EU, net migration soared, quadrupling in the space of just four years from 2019 to 2023.
The impact of Brexit on a graph is stark viewing, and has been included in the Home Office's documents.
It blames the introduction of new immigration policies following Brexit, including the lowering of the threshold for skilled migrants from degree level to A-level equivalency, and the setting of the basic salary threshold at £25,600.
Full report: Starmer says migrants will have to ‘earn the right’ to live in UK
14:04 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has said those coming to the UK will have to “earn the right” to stay as Labour unveils sweeping reforms designed to slash net migration and tackle the threat posed by Nigel Farage and Reform.
The prime minister said migrants must commit to integration and learning English, as part of a crackdown ministers say will boost economic growth.
In what the Labour leader claimed would be a “clean break” from the past, the changes include a wait of 10 years, not five, to apply for permanent residency – unless they can prove a significant contribution – a ban on recruiting care workers from overseas and, for the first time, adult dependents will have to prove they understand basic English.
Read the full report here:
Starmer says migrants will have to ‘earn the right’ to live in UK in new crackdown
Yvette Cooper highlights 100,000 expected fall in visas3
13:48 , Archie MitchellThe home secretary is still refusing to put a target on net migration, but highlighted on Monday an expected 100,000 reduction in visas due to measures in the government’s white paper.
It will mean 100,000 fewer arrivals each year in the UK, as set out in a technical annex published alongside the document.
Speaking to GB News, she said: “Already, we're reducing the visas that we're issuing. That's already happening. Already we are increasing returns.
“Enforced returns are up over 20 per cent since the election and these measures go further.
“So for example, some of the measures around the skilled worker visa, the care worker visa, the settlement rules and the English language rules, those together would mean a reduction of 100,000 fewer visas or fewer people arriving just as a result of those measures.”
Unions criticise new plans
13:47 , Athena StavrouSince announcing the government’s crackdown on immigration, Sir Keir Starmer has received backlash from union and charity leaders.
Fran Heathcote, the general secretary of the public and commercial services union said Starmer does “not need to follow Reform down the migrant-bashing road”.
“Scapegoating migrants is shameful politics that plays to the right-wing media’s prejudices rather than resolving this country’s problems of low pay and insufficient housing,” she said.
“The prime minister should choose his words carefully. He should be concerned how his comments will be received by families of migrants who have been here for generations, helped build this country, financially and culturally, and without whom the NHS and the care sector would collapse.
"The civil service, too, benefits hugely from migrant labour but, unbelievably, at a time of a recruitment crisis, the government is deporting its own staff in DWP.
"Are these the 'strangers' he is talking about? He should seek to unite the country, not divide us."
Watch: Keir Starmer says migrants will have to ‘earn the right’ to live in UK as part of new crackdown
13:33 , Athena StavrouRecap: What did Starmer say during his press conference
13:18 , Athena Stavrou- Starmer began with attacking the previous Conservative government’s record on immigration, and vowed to “take back control of our borders”.
- He said he will implement “fair rules” to prevent the UK becoming an “island of strangers”.
- He outlined the new proposals, which included things such as an increase in language requirements, and plans to stop foreign recruitment of care workers.
- The PM acknowledged migration is a “part of Britain’s national story” and said he will never “denigrate” the “massive contribution” migrants make.
- He avoided putting a number on how much the UK would see net migration fall.
- Starmer said the proposals do not mean diverging from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Starmer’s immigration crackdown risks ‘deepening divides’ which led to Southport riots
13:15 , Archie MitchellSir Keir Starmer’s immigration crackdown risks deepening the divides which led to the Southport riots last summer, a refugee charity has warned.
Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon said the PM is right to speak to public concerns about high levels of net migration, but that “populist performance” was not the answer.
He added: “It’s less than a year since towns up and down the country were shocked by violence that targeted refugees and sought to tear communities apart.
“We need an immigration system that enables integration and contribution into communities and helps to heal divides, rather than deepen them further.”
Suspended Labour MP compares Starmer to Farage
13:05 , Archie MitchellSuspended Labour left-winger Zarah Sultana has compared Sir Keir Starmer to Nigel Farage.
Amid a growing backlash at the prime minister's "island of strangers" remarks, the Coventry MP said "did Nigel Farage write this speech?"
She added: "Dehumanising and divisive. We deserve better than this."
She has been increasingly speaking out against the prime minister in recent months, and appears to have little interest in having the Labour whip restored.
How will the measures impact students?
12:59 , Athena StavrouThe government has said it will strengthen the requirements that all sponsoring institutions must meet in order to recruit international students.
Universities will be required to score five percentage points higher on the Basic Compliance Assessment - an annual assessment used to monitor each sponsor's level of compliance with the visa system. It looks at university metrics such as their rates of course completion and course enrolment.
The amount of time foreign students can remain in the UK after graduation will also be slashed, falling from two years to 18 months.
Care homes will close thanks to Starmer’s immigration crackdown, providers warn
12:39 , Athena StavrouMore social care services will be forced to close their doors as a result of Sir Keir Starmer’s immigration crackdown, providers have warned as they hit out at the government’s “whack-a-mole” approach to the sector.
The plans, which include ending the recruitment of care workers from overseas, will leave older people and disabled patients will be left without access to safe care, care companies added.
The latest government data shows 26,100 people between April last year and April 2025 used the health and care worker visa route. This is down from 143,900 from March 2023 to March 2024.
The Independent’s health correspondent Rebecca Thomas reports:
Care homes will close thanks to Starmer’s immigration crackdown, providers warn
Government needs 'clear plan' after Tory 'dire mismanagement' - Lib Dems
12:27 , Athena StavrouThe Government is right to take steps to fix the “broken” immigration system but needs a “clear plan” to make it easier to recruit British workers instead, the Liberal Democrats said.
The party’s home affairs spokeswoman, Lisa Smart MP, said: “After the previous Conservative government’s dire mismanagement, our immigration system has been left in tatters and public trust has been shattered.
“It’s right that the Government is taking steps to fix our broken immigration system to ensure it works for our country.
“However, this must be coupled with a clear plan to make it easier to recruit British workers to fill vacancies instead – including implementing our Carer’s Minimum Wage and speeding up reforms to the apprenticeship system – to ensure these changes don’t have unintended consequences for our economy.”
'Starmer has no credibility on this issue': Conservatives
12:11 , Athena StavrouThe shadow home secretary has criticised Starmer after he unveiled immigration reforms.
“Keir Starmer has no credibility on this issue. This is the man who once described immigration laws as racist and wrote letters protesting at the deportation of foreign criminals.” Chris Philp MP said.
“Starmer has tried to claim credit for the reduction in legal immigration since the election - which resulted from Conservative policies.
“Meanwhile, because Keir Starmer cancelled the Rwanda deterrent last July before it even started, this year so far has been the worst in history for illegal immigrants crossing the channel.”
Nadia Whittome: How to make people care about migrant deaths – and prevent them from happening
11:54 , Athena StavrouWe don’t know exactly how many people died, but we do know this: last year was the deadliest on record for refugees trying to cross the English Channel.
Our Labour government has rightly pledged to reduce deaths in the Channel, but how can we prevent further loss of life when we don’t even know how many lives are being lost?
We will not save lives until we acknowledge those already lost, writes Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East. That means confronting the number of deaths in our asylum system – and recording them with honesty and urgency.
Read the full comment piece here:
How to make people care about migrant deaths – and prevent them from happening
Immigration white paper is 'biggest shake-up since Brexit'
11:41 , Athena StavrouThe Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) have described the government’s immigration reforms as “the biggest shake-up of the immigration system since Brexit”
“Today represents the biggest shake-up of the immigration system since Brexit. The government has set out its own approach to migration based on the principles of control, contribution and cohesion,” Marley Morris, associate director at IPPR, said.
He said that although a properly joined-up immigration and skills policy “is a long time coming”, adding that the government is “right to put community cohesion as a priority”.
However, Mr Morris added that some of the measures - such as a wait of 10 years, not five, to apply for permanent residency - risks making it “harder for people to contribute and settle into their communities”.
He said: “Visa holders will spend lengthy periods on an insecure status, increasing their risk of poverty and losing status altogether. This could inhibit integration while doing little to bring down numbers.”
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer has condemned the government’s “misguided” reforms as a way for Labour to “create headlines and try to win back Reform voters”.
“From closed down youth centres to shuttered pubs, people in all parts of the UK are feeling the bonds that hold their communities together dissolving,” she said.
“And whether it's rebuilding intergenerational relationships, or helping those who come here from abroad to integrate, strengthening those bonds requires support and crucially funding from central government. But far from rebuilding our communities, this government’s reforms are going to make things worse.
“In particular, at a time when the care sector is already stretched to breaking point, and public support for people coming from overseas to work in our care sector is consistently strong, it’s wild that this government is ignoring public opinion and making it even harder to recruit badly-needed care staff.”
Key points in the government’s immigration white paper:
11:06– A wait of 10 years, not five, to apply for permanent residency –although workers who significantly contribute to society such as nurses, doctors and engineers could be fast-tracked.
- Migrants will be required to display a higher standard of English across all immigration routes including, for the first time, their adult dependents.
- An end to the international recruitment of care workers.
– The Home Office will be notified of all offences committed by foreign criminals, rather than just those which result in prison terms, with wider powers to deport offenders and cancel visas.
– Changes to the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in an attempt to reduce the number of people claiming “exceptional circumstances” over the right to family life in order to remain in the UK.
– The immigration skills charge, paid by firms sponsoring a migrant worker, will be hiked by 32 per cent.
- Skills thresholds for work visas will be returned to degree level.
– For occupations below this level, access to the immigration system will be strictly time-limited and based on evidence of shortages in the supply of labour.
– A “limited pool” of refugees and displaced people recognised by the United Nations’ agency responsible will be eligible to apply for jobs through existing skilled-worker routes.
– The tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students will be made stricter.
– The ability for graduates to remain in the UK after their studies will be cut from two years to 18 months.
Home secretary to give statement
10:58 , Athena StavrouThis afternoon, the home secretary is expected to give a statement in the Commons.
Yvette Cooper will address fellow MPs after the government unveiled its white paper outlining new immigration reforms.
Starmer must apologise for 'dangerous' language - Refugee charity
10:53 , Athena StavrouRefugee charity Care4Calais has accused the Prime Minister of fanning the fire of the far-right by using language like “an island of strangers” to discuss immigration.
Care4Calais CEO, Steve Smith, said: “This is dangerous language for any Prime Minister to use. Has Starmer forgotten last year’s far-right riots?
“Shameful language like this will only inflame the fire of the far-right and risks further race riots that endanger survivors of horrors such as war, torture and modern slavery.
“Starmer must apologise.”
'Labour doesn’t believe in secure borders' - Badenoch
10:39 , Athena StavrouKemi Badenoch has questioned Sir Keir Starmer’s belief in his own immigration reforms.
The Conservative Party leader took to social media to criticise the prime minister after he vowed to crack down on immigration on Monday morning.
“Labour doesn’t believe in secure borders. You can’t trust them to protect ours,” she wrote.
White paper suggests measures could cut immigration numbers by 100,000
10:31 , Athena StavrouThe Home Office has now published the government’s white paper on the new immigration policies.
The paper’s technical annex suggests that the measures could reduce inflows of immigrants by around 100,000 a year.
The prime minister did not set a numerical target on net migration during his press conference this morning.
The figure is based on analysis of the measures where data allows, but the Home Office said the analysis “does not attempt to quantify the full impact of policy proposals given the uncertainty surrounding the details of implementation, such as timing, and the complexity of behavioural responses within the immigration system”.
Conservatives: Starmer ‘weeing in the wind’ with immigration crackdown
10:11 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer is “weeing in the wind” with his immigration crackdown, the Conservatives have said, arguing the measures will not make a significant impact on net migration figures.
Shadow Home Office minister Matt Vickers said the prime minister is a “Karma Chameleon… changing the colour of his spots and skin depending on what is going on”.
And he added that Labour had scrapped Tory plans to hike the salary threshold for visas. Mr Vickers told LBC: “We’re – I’m trying to think what the polite word – we're weeing in the wind with this one. He's not going to make much progress on this front.
“We had a measure that was due to kick in in April, and the Labour government removed it.
“If you bring people to this country, you should be able to jolly well pay for them. That's what the system is about. It's got to be fair on the taxpayers, the people who foot the bill for this thing.”
Tice: Starmer is learning from Reform UK
09:57 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer went out of his way in his speech to suggest he was making the immigration changes because he believes it is right, not in response to the threat of Reform UK.
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme immediately after, Richard Tice sought to rain on the prime minister’s parade.
“It looks like he has been listening and learning from Reform UK,” Mr Tice said.
The taunt will enrage Sir Keir, but also the left of his party, who have warned consistently that trying to outflank Reform from the right on immigration will only open the door further to Nigel Farage.
Analysis: This immigration policy announcement will make or break Labour at the next election
09:48 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
At some point when the next general election is called probably in 2029, we will look back at May 2025 as the month that either made or broke Keir Starmer’s Labour government.
Already we had two incredibly important trade deals with India and the USA, the latter achieved through an extraordinary charm offensive on US president Donald Trump by the PM.
And a week today we will have the third part of that trade piece - the great Brexit reset.
All that is essential for future success and economic growth, but today’s announcement on immigration must be seen as part of a jigsaw the prime minister is putting together.
He is now betting his government on reducing immigration from the record levels achieved by the Tories while also delivering economic growth.
Starmer appears to have accepted the argument that economic growth is not linked to high immigration. Most experts would disagree although by no means all.
However, if he fails in one or both of these two pledges then it is likely he will be out of power at the next election.
Looming large is the threat of Nigel Farage and Reform whose populist “easy answers” message offers solutions on both.
As the PM told The Independent, it is up to them “to expose” Reform for what it is, but to do that Starmer has to succeed with his two big goals meaning this month may be the most crucial of his entire premiership.
Pictured: Cabinet attend Downing Street press conference
09:42 , Athena Stavrou
Recap: What did Starmer say during his press conference
09:31 , Athena StavrouThe prime minister has concluded his morning press conference, where he explained the government’s latest plans for a crackdown on immigration.
Here is a recap of what was said:
- Starmer began with attacking the previous Conservative government’s record on immigration, and vowed to “take back control of our borders”.
- He said he will implement “fair rules” to prevent the UK becoming an “island of strangers”.
- He outlined the new proposals, which included things such as an increase in language requirements, and plans to stop foreign recruitment of care workers.
- The PM acknowledged migration is a “part of Britain’s national story” and said he will never “denigrate” the “massive contribution” migrants make.
- He avoided putting a number on how much the UK would see net migration fall.
- Starmer said the proposals do not mean diverging from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Full white paper to be published shortly
09:22 , Athena StavrouAfter Sir Keir Starmer’s speech, the government’s new Immigration White Paper, is set to be unveiled at 9:30am.
The paper will outline details of the government’s latest proposals, which include reforms such as an increase in language requirements and qualifications for a skilled worker visa.
Keir Starmer has now pinned his premiership on bringing down immigration
09:18 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The prime minister refuses to give a specific number or even say net migration will go down each year.
But Sir Keir Starmer pledged that “migration will fall, that's a promise.”
He warned that some sectors of the economy “seem addicted to cheap labour” and this apparently includes the care sector.
He also appears to accept the view long made by Nigel Farage that higher migration does not lead to higher economic growth. “That link doesn't hold.”
But in the end he now will be judged at the next election on whether he brought immigration and somehow also delivered economic growth.
Watch: 'Migration will fall, that's a promise', says Starmer as he announces stricter immigration rules
09:10 , Athena StavrouStarmer ducks the youth mobility question
09:08 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
With the EU Brexit reset negotiations just a week away from being revealed the prime minister was asked if a deal on youth mobility would hit the immigration plan he has unveiled today.
It seems increasingly likely youth mobility will happen but not surprisingly Sir Keir Starmer completely ducked the question and did not even refer to it.
The issue underlines the complicated give and take he is involved in.This is the prime minister whose policy is to “have his cake and eat it”.
We won't diverge from ECHR, says Starmer
09:01 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Downing Street:
Asked whether going further on migration means disentangling ourselves from the ECHR, the prime minister issued a firm "no".
The prime minister warned that, if the UK fails to comply with international law, other countries would be disinclined to strike international agreements with us.
This marks a clear departure from the policies of the Tories, who regularly critiqued the ECHR and threatened to leave the convention.
Starmer avoids putting number on target net migration
08:58 , Athena StavrouThe prime minister did not answer a question on whether net migration would fall every year between now and the next election but said he wants to “get it down by the end of this Parliament”.
Asked if net migration would fall every year, Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’m promising it (net migration) will fall significantly, and I do want to get it down by the end of this Parliament, significantly.
“That is what this plan is intended to achieve.
“This White Paper, these plans bring it back into control, make sure it’s controlled, that it’s selective, that we decide who comes to this country, and that it is fair, and that’s what we will do.
“Significant reduction in immigration and, as I’ve indicated, if it becomes necessary to take further measures, then that’s what we will do.”
Analysis: Starmer walks a tightrope on migration
08:56The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Downing Street:
Sir Keir Starmer is attempting to walk a tightrope on the issue of migration, doing verbal acrobatics trying to acknowledge the contribution migrants have made to Britain whilst also persuading voters he will "take back control" of our borders.
I will "never denigrate" the contribution of migrants to the UK economy, the prime minister said, whilst also hitting out at industries he claimed are "addicted to importing cheap labour".
He pointed to the "bravery" of migrants who contributed to the rebuilding of Britain after WW2, whilst also saying migrants must "commit to integration" in Britain and promising to "back British workers".
Today's speech was finely tuned in an attempt to be both tough enough to persuade Reform voters that he is the right man for the job, without entirely mimicking the party's rhetoric.
Starmer lets slip reticence over migration announcement
08:51 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Downing Street:
Sir Keir Starmer let slip his reticence at having to deliver today's migration announcement.
The PM, who was taking questions from the media in Downing Street, urged journalists not to ask two questions at once, adding: "We've got to just... get through this."
The inadvertent remark drew laughs from the media - though not from the PM himself - as the comment indicated an acknowledgement from the PM that - no matter how hard he tries to mimic Reform's rhetoric - migration will never be the most comfortable topic for Labour.
Starmer acknowledges 'massive contribution' migrants make to UK
08:50 , Athena StavrouAs he unveils the government’s latest immigration crackdown, the prime minister did take a moment to acknowledge the positive role of migrants in the UK.
“Migration is part of Britain's national story," he said.
"We talked last week about the great rebuilding of this country after the war. Migrants were part of that and they make a massive contribution today. And you will never hear me denigrate that.”
He added: "But when people come to our country, they should also commit to integration, to learning our language. And our system should actively distinguish between those that do and those that don't. I think that's fair."
UK risks becoming 'island of strangers' - Starmer
08:47After insisting the new migration rules were not being put in place because of politics, Sir Keir Starmer said: “I’m doing this because it is right. Because it is fair and because it is what I believe in.”
He went on to say “nations depend on rules” and that without these sometimes “unwritten” rules the UK “risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together”.
Analysis: Hard to believe that this announcement is not about politics
08:39 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Sir Keir Starmer is talking at length about why he is making this announcement today cutting down on immigration.
He claims it is not to do about politics, but “because it is the right thing to do”.
The timing though makes this hard to believe. Not least the drubbing that Reform gave Labour in the local elections and Runcorn and Helsby by-election earlier this month.
The threat of Nigel Farage and his five point lead in the polls over Starmer hangs like a shadow over the theatre of today.
Analysis: We have heard “take back control” of our borders before
08:37 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Keir Starmer strides up to the podium and vows to “take back control”.
He is deliberately using the words of Boris Johnson and the Brexiteers because, as he notes, they failed to “take back control of borders”.
He points out how under the Tory Brexiteers immigration in fact quadrupled instead of came down.
So it may be that the man who tried to overturn the referendum leave vote is actually delivering on the Brexit promise.
Starmer opens by attacking Tories record on migration and Brexit
08:36 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Downing Street:
The PM has launched an attack on the previous Conservative government's record on both migration and Brexit, saying they "conducted a one nation experiment in open borders conducted on a country that voted for control".
"The experiment is over", the prime minister warned, promising to deliver "what you ask for time and again".
"We will take back control of our borders", he said.
Starmer delivering speech migration reforms
08:33 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has begun his speech announcing the government crackdown on UK migration.
The prime minister is speaking at a press conference at Downing Street, in front of many cabinet members who have shown up in support.
Press conference to begin shortly
08:30 , Athena StavrouWe are expecting Sir Keir Starmer will begin a press conference at Downing Street shortly.
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke is at Downing Street, where members of the cabinet have also gathered in support of the prime minister.
We will be bringing you updates from Downing Street as they happen.
What are we expecting Starmer to say?
08:28Starmer will begin a Downing Street press conference shortly, where he will unveil government reforms on UK migration.
“Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control,” the Prime Minister is expected to say on Monday.
“Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall.”
He will say that the system under the reforms will be “controlled, selective and fair”, and will recognise “those who genuinely contribute to Britain’s growth and society, while restoring common sense and control to our borders”.
Government plans 'barmy' - Tories
08:24 , Athena StavrouThe Government’s plans to bring down immigration is “barmy” and will allow those who arrive in the UK illegally to become British citizens, the shadow crime and policing minister has said.
Matt Vickers told Times Radio: “Today the Government are allowing people who arrive illegally – they’re changing the law so that people arrive in this country illegally will be able to become British citizens.
“That’s barmy.
“That’s an advert to the world, it’s saying ‘Come here, you could become a British citizen the way you couldn’t until this Bill goes through’.”
Cabinet all parading in to support Starmer for big moment on immigration
08:16 , Athena StavrouFrom Downing Street, The Independent’s Millie Cooke reports that most of the cabinet appears to be coming to Keir Starmer’s press conference.
She spotted health secretary Wes Streeting and education secretary Bridget Phillipson walking in.
Streeting in particular is going to have to deal with the impact of losing visas for workers in the social care sector.
The message on immigration is going to be a tough one and hit a lot of sectors.
But politically it is essential to regain the initiative from Nigel Farage and Reform.Starmer clearly wants a show of force to prove he is taking this issue seriously.
Nigel Farage criticises Starmer's 'big fightback' against Reform UK
08:10Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has attempted to undermine the prime minister’s migration plans, soon before they are announced.
Farage claimed: “On the day of Keir Starmer’s big fightback against Reform UK, 250 young men are already crossing the Channel by 8am”.
Starmer’s plans come after Labour lost the Runcorn and Helsby by-election to Reform MP Sarah Pochin in a major boost to Farage’s party earlier this month.
Full report: Starmer says migrants will have to ‘earn the right’ to live in UK
07:55 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has said those coming to the UK will have to “earn the right” to stay as Labour unveils sweeping reforms designed to slash net migration and tackle the threat posed by Nigel Farage and Reform.
The prime minister said migrants must commit to integration and learning English, as part of a crackdown ministers say will boost economic growth.
In what the Labour leader claimed would be a “clean break” from the past, the changes include a wait of 10 years, not five, to apply for permanent residency – unless they can prove a significant contribution – a ban on recruiting care workers from overseas and, for the first time, adult dependents will have to prove they understand basic English.
My colleague Kate Devlin has the full story:
Starmer says migrants will have to ‘earn the right’ to live in UK in new crackdown
Labour 'stolen ideas' from Tories - Chris Philp
07:49 , Athena StavrouThe Labour Government has “stolen one or two ideas” on immigration from the Tories, Chris Philp said.
The shadow home secretary told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “They have certainly stolen one or two ideas, but that’s good – politics is about getting things done, and I’m pleased when our ideas get implemented.
“But taken as a whole, I don’t think from what I’ve seen so far, Keir Starmer’s announcements will go far enough because we have the view that immigration – legal migration – has been far too high in recent years.”
Plans to stop UK care home from overseas recruitment causing 'significant problems'
07:47 , Athena StavrouGovernment plans to get rid of care worker visas risk causing “significant problems” in the sector, a care home chain director has said.
Amy Clark, commercial director of a Cornwall care home chain, told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme that the measures could cause challenges because “recruiting locally is very, very difficult”.
“The big problem that we would have is if we weren’t able to recruit any overseas staff because recruiting locally is very, very difficult”, Ms Clark said.
“We try all the time to recruit locally. We put our wages up, we still don’t get applicants.
“We’ve always paid higher than minimum wage, but that is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the national insurance costs and also the national minimum wage increase and the pitiful uplift from the local authorities in relation to the social care funding.”
The Independent View: Why the PM is right to be tough on immigration but also compassionate
07:40 , Athena StavrouAnnouncing the government’s long-awaited white paper on immigration, the prime minister said that every area of what he called a “broken system” would be tightened up, in “a clean break from the past”.
Enforcement, he said, would be “tougher than ever”, asserting that “migration will fall”.
Sir Keir Starmer’s language chimed with weekend headlines about a “crackdown” – a shorthand description that surely displeased few in government, given the centrality of migration as an issue at the recent elections.
The government has a tricky balancing act when it comes to immigration. It has to serve the economy, address public disquiet and also maintain an asylum system, but Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper seem to have the right approach.
Read The Independent’s full Editorial here:
The PM is right to be tough but compassionate on immigration
Starmer to give speech this morning
07:39Sir Keir Starmer will be holding an early morning press conference on Monday morning as he announces a government’s crackdown on immigration.
The prime minister will hold a press conference at around 8:30am.
His speech will happen at the same time the Immigration White Paper, is set to be unveiled on Monday.
What are the new rules Starmer is announcing?
07:36 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer is preparing to announce sweeping new measures to reform the UK’s immigration system.
Here is a look at what reforms are being proposed:
- The prime minister said those coming to the UK will have to “earn the right” to stay.
- Migrants must commit to integration and learning English.
- A wait of 10 years, not five, to apply for permanent residency – unless someone can prove a significant contribution.
- A ban on recruiting care workers from overseas.
- Adult dependents will have to prove they understand basic English.
Keir Starmer says migrants will have to ‘earn the right’ to live in UK as part of new crackdown
07:29 , Athena StavrouMigrants will be told they need to spend up to a decade in the UK before they can apply for citizenship and English language requirements will be increased as part of the Government’s immigration crackdown.
Sir Keir Starmer will promise to “tighten up” all elements of the system as ministers look to bring down net figures, but are facing pushback against plans to stop foreign recruitment of care workers.
The Prime Minister is expected to say that “enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall” as a result of the policies in the Immigration White Paper, set to be unveiled on Monday.
