BARNSLEY North MP Dan Jarvis has welcomed tough new immigration rules and says they will ‘secure our borders’ and ‘make immigration work’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a raft of new tougher measures for those who are wanting to come into the UK.
It’s hoped that the plans will reduce reliance on overseas recruitment, prioritise those who contribute to Britain’s economy, and put more money in the pockets of working people.
The Labour government will raise English language requirements across every immigration route to their highest ever levels, ensuring that those wishing to live and work in the UK speak a higher standard of English.
For the first time, Labour will also extend English language requirements to all adult dependants.
The Prime Minister has also announced that his party will ensure that migrants must spend a decade in the UK before applying to stay permanently, unless they can show a real and lasting contribution to the economy and society.
These new measures build on action already taken by Labour to restore order to the immigration system, Dan says.
More than 24,000 people with no right to be here have been returned since the election - the highest rate in eight years - including a 16 per cent increase in foreign national offender removals.
The number of illegal working raids has also increased by 40 per cent under the current government, with the number of arrests increasing by 42 per cent.
Labour are changing the law so that for the first time any foreign national convicted of a sexual offence will automatically be denied refugee status.
Dan has backed the new measures.
He told the Chronicle: “This Labour government is working at pace to fix the broken immigration system that we inherited.
“The British people rightly want a fair and controlled immigration system.
“We will make sure that those who stay in our country contribute to our economy, integrate in our communities, and speak our language to a high standard.
“We will secure our borders and make immigration work for the British people.”
The Prime Minister added that those who settle in the UK must understand it is a ‘privilege and not a right’.
He said: “Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control.
“Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall.
“We will create a system that is controlled, selective and fair.
“One that recognises those who genuinely contribute to Britain’s growth and society, while restoring common sense and control to our borders.
“This is a clean break from the past and will ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right.”
