Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to cut net migration “significantly” with a raft of new measures aimed at tightening the UK’s borders. The latest White Paper, unveiled this week, aims to “finally take back control” of the immigration system.
Starmer said the UK risks becoming an “island of strangers” without stricter controls, arguing that immigration must be selective and focused on “higher skills” and “high talent routes”.
📜 The Key Changes
Under the new proposals, migrants will need to live in the UK for a decade before they can apply for citizenship – double the time required for American citizenship. This comes alongside tougher English language requirements for every visa route, a move aimed at reducing the UK’s reliance on foreign workers.
💥 Peston’s Pushback
ITV’s Robert Peston didn’t hold back, questioning whether Starmer’s approach might backfire.
“Haven’t you shot yourself in the foot by saying those who want to be citizens have to live here twice as long as those who want to be American citizens?” Peston asked.
Starmer sidestepped the question, insisting that higher migration doesn’t necessarily lead to higher growth – despite research from the OECD, IMF, and World Bank suggesting that migration makes a modest but positive contribution to long-term GDP growth.
🚶♂️ Farage’s Footsteps?
By dismissing this line of questioning, Starmer risks echoing the tone of Nigel Farage, a point that hasn’t gone unnoticed by critics. Some have even questioned why a highly skilled, high-earning professional would choose to spend a decade becoming a British citizen when the US offers the same status in just five years.
🗣️ Corbyn Fires Back
Jeremy Corbyn wasn’t impressed. The former Labour leader took to social media to slam Starmer’s hardline stance.
“The problems in our society are not caused by migrants or refugees,” Corbyn wrote. “They are caused by an economic system rigged in favour of corporations and billionaires. If the government wanted to improve people’s lives, it would tax the rich and build an economy that works for us all.”
Related: Yvette Cooper shuts door on care worker visas – but there’s a catch
