Cameron calls for immigration cap

Monday, 29 October 2007 12:00 AM

David Cameron has called for a cap on immigration as part of a "grown-up conversation" on immigration and population growth.

The Conservative leader declined to say what the cap may be, but said net immigration must be "substantially lower" than present levels.

In a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank, Mr Cameron pinpointed net immigration as a major driver of population growth, which the Conservatives warn places increasing pressure on public services and infrastructure.

While praising the economic benefits of skilled migrants, Mr Cameron decisively placed his party back in the immigration debate by calling for a cap on immigration from non-EU nationals.

Mr Cameron also reiterated calls for a dedicated Border Police Force, which he argued would boost confidence in the immigration system.

He warned an influx of unskilled workers risked devaluing wages for British workers and called on the government to set transitional controls when new countries join the UK.

The Home Office maintains workers from Romania and Bulgaria are already subject to restrictions, after the number of Polish workers coming to the UK exceeded expectations following Poland's entry to the EU.

Furthermore the Home Office maintains the points-based immigration system, set to launch in 140 days, will ensure only those who can benefit the UK are allowed to settle.

Immigration minister Liam Byrne dismissed Mr Cameron's speech as relying on platitudes and challenged the Conservative leader to produce a detailed policy proposal if he wants a serious conversation.

My Byrne said: "He talks of a limit on immigration numbers but nowhere does he say what this would be. Talk of a cap on numbers, when you can't, or won't name a number is nothing but a smokescreen for his lack of new, credible thinking."

Mr Cameron had accused the government of lacking a coherent policy on immigration, pointing to Tony Blair's admission last year that the government had no strategy for managing rising population figures.

He said: "Labour have no vision, no strategy, no policy - just a series of promises on individual issues like housing."

Mr Byrne today rejected that claim, arguing: "Labour's approach to immigration is based on firm, fair and serious policies - that is what the British public want, not populist soundbites."

The Liberal Democrats accused Mr Cameron of fantasy politics and asked if he "seriously thought" immigration could be "turned on and off like a tap".

Home affairs spokesman and leadership hopeful Nick Clegg said: "He tries to appear reasonable whilst pandering to the right wing in his own party, and claims that immigration numbers should be cut without having the faintest clue as to how that would happen."

Alongside immigration, Mr Cameron also targeted family breakdown for increasing pressure on resources.

He identified the rising number of single person households, caused in part by divorce, as a further factor driving demand for housing and other resources.

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