Immigration is a big issue, and was a main concern for voters during the election. After twelve years of Labour Government, the public had lost confidence in the immigration system. Net immigration had tripled since 1997, adding pressure on our public services. The sheer scale of immigration under Labour was too high.
I believe that Britain can benefit from immigration, but not uncontrolled immigration. The difference between Labour and the new Government is that we have pledged to get the immigration numbers substantially lower – from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands. In just twelve weeks we have started to do that.
We have already introduced a temporary limit on the number of people coming here to work from outside the EU this year. This is the first immigration limit in our country’s history. It will be followed by a permanent annual limit, to ensure we get the right balance between the needs of business and the wider population.
And the new Government recognises that controlled immigration must be coupled with better skills for British workers and welfare reform. We should stop importing workers for jobs that British workers could be doing.
I’ve also announced that anyone who comes here to get married will have to speak English, and set out our plans to create a national border police force to tackle illegal immigration. These are all big changes. We are working hard to bring immigration under control.
( 21 comments ) Tags: EU, illegal immigration, Labour, national border police
Comment by Paul Turnock on August 15, 2010 at 10:41 am
As the saying goes “Rome was not built in a day” and the workload that you have inherited must be imense, however actions speak louder than words and its actions we need to see rather than telling us what we already know.
There are millions of British workers lying idle on the dole, British jobs have been activily given to forien workers where they should have only been given if there was not a british worker who could have taken them.
The excuses given about nobody would work doing those menial tasks for a basic wage are rubbish and an excuse. Immigration needs to be stopped altogether for at least two years whilst this government gets its act together.
Employers need to stop devaluing jobs as an excuse to get a cheap work force and sending people back to their home country should be activiley sought to stop the waste of millions of our money looking after them, if we went to their country we would have to look after ourselves, thats the difference EU or not.
Comment by Mark on August 15, 2010 at 1:51 pm
You had some excellent plans to take back control over student visas which you detailed before the election. Please implement them. Abuse of the student visa regime has become a dominant cause of illegal immigration, and has accounted for the lion’s share of the increase in immigration numbers.
We need to return to a situation where students granted visas can know that they will be attending institutions with good reputations, and where they can be welcomed unequivocally by the people of this country because their presence as students is in good faith.
Comment by vera shaw on August 15, 2010 at 5:16 pm
about time to.
Comment by TSprague on August 15, 2010 at 6:55 pm
A huge and important step in immigration would be to finally end discrimination against children born to unmarried British fathers. This is the one and only group left out of the opportunity to acquire UK citizenship, by descent, through a British parent.
We are not strangers showing up on Britain’s doorstep, many of us were born and raised in the UK to a British parent. A simple DNA test would prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, who we belong to.
Mr. Green (and previously Mr. Woolas) has stated that it would be a conflict of nationality should adult children register their births as British citizens. However, it has been successful and problem free with the recent granting of citizenship, by descent, through children born to British mothers. Even the ILPA has refuted this suspicious claim.
Let’s put an end to citizenship discrimination.
Comment by Hope Henry on August 15, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I pray that we in America will choose leaders in our next election that have the brass to do what you are doing in your nation. Our present administration is not protecting our borders (people are being murdered), and are trying to force laws through that will help push our economy over the cliff (if their most recent and their present legislation does not suceed in doing it first). Congratulations, Britain, that you have chosen leaders who are putting your interests first…true patriots…
Comment by Linda on August 15, 2010 at 9:20 pm
There is a general public misunderstanding in my opinion , of those immigrants who come from the Asias and former Commonwealth to those who are coming from the EU, the former have no recourse to public funds and with working here -they pay taxes thus contribute to society – conversly those coming from Europe are less likely to be skilled have poor english language skills yet are entitled to benefits such as family and working tax credits, housing benefit, maternity benefit, etc we all know of cases where families still reside in the country of origin, or they leave the UK as soon as there is a tax bill to pay or a court case to attend, there are those who risk not taxing and insuring their vehicles, these are the examples that cause such frustration and a sense of unfairness and should be addressed.
I think it is critical that individuals have a job to come to before leaving their countires irrespective of where they are coming from and Employers should be duty bound to notify the immigration authorities when an individual leaves employment and the individual should have a timed period to notify of their new employment, if a job is not secured by a specified period, the individual should return to their contry of origin. There is no need for complex rules – we require a straight forward system easy to understand.
Comment by Maurice on August 15, 2010 at 10:12 pm
we will judge by the results, not by intentions, You have a big challenge, get to it!
Comment by Iain Gill on August 16, 2010 at 7:40 am
Re “We have already introduced a temporary limit on the number of people coming here to work from outside the EU this year” only on some visa categories. The outsourcers can still bring in unlimited numbers on intra company transfer visas and immediately subcontract them in UK firms at below market rates. Its not particularly clever to swamp the country with cheap IT workers from India but lots of folk are getting rich doing it. Meanwhile our own workforce stands no chance. This needs fixing asap. And you need to be honest about this!
Comment by greg on August 16, 2010 at 8:08 pm
The government needs to act on the extensive illegal immigration into the Uk.A strong UK border force is a must and illegal immigrants must be deported when found.There should be massive penalties if employers give jobs to these illegals.These jobs tend to be cash in hand jobs.Also the expansion in homes in multiple occupation must be tackled.The HMOs cause stress in neighbourhoods and are a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
Illegal immigration over the last 13 years have led to a downward pressure in wages and conditions for UK workers.
Many towns in the UK have large numbers of illegals.The newcoalition government must act with boldness to undo the damage by labour
Comment by James on August 18, 2010 at 2:05 am
I feel that recent comments have shown that there seems to be wide spread belief that the situation has improved dramatically since Damien Green first commented about this when he first spoke about this
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/7923094/UK-immigration-system-barely-fit-for-purpose-Damian-Green-has-suggested.html
This was evidenced recently by Ann Abrahams office of the parliamentary ombudsmand in her report in February entitle They ain’t fair and they sure arenn’t fast
http://www.ncadc.org.uk/archives/filed%20newszines/Newszine115/UKBA.html
It would be pretty naive to imagine all these things will fall into place so quickly !
Comment by simon green on August 23, 2010 at 11:46 am
immigration is out of control mainly down to labours open door policy on europe, witch has flooded our work places with unskilled and cheep immigrantsfrom europe and driven wages down. this is now costing us dearly as they are now entitled to benefits. i think all immigrants regardless of where they are from should be able to prove they have savings a work visa and should not be entitled to any free hand outs including medical for at least 2 years. in fact i think we should come out of europe, still trade with them, but take our power back.
Comment by Pamela on August 25, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Glad to see something is finally being done to tackle the immigration problem but more still needs to be done. I am not a racist but at present I cannot see how our country can justify having other EU nationals in it who rely on our welfare state to feed and clothe them when we are in such a huge financial mess. Please do Britain a favour Mr Cameron and get us out of Europe it is a relationship that has been determinental to Britain the British people.
Comment by david bennett on October 9, 2010 at 2:19 pm
It’s good that you are putting a cap on immigration from outside the EU.It is the immigration from inside the EU which is the problem and you can do nothing about it.
The jobs in this country are being given to migrants first because where i live if you are British you do not stand a chance.
The government is always going on about needing skilled labour but what about unskilled.If the unskilled migrants were removed there are enough British unemployed people who could fill those jobs at the same time bringing the cost of unemployment benefit and related benefits down and the money stays in the country.
Employers are to be held accountable as well for a migrant worker will work for less money because they think they are on a brilliant wage,but they send their money out of the country and live a very meagre lifestyle.This is not good for the economy as well.
You say jobs for British workers.The Conservative Party must think the public are stupid,the EU would come down on you like a ton of bricks as anyone in the EU can work in any country and it is illegal to stop them.
The only way that British workers for British jobs can be acheived is by pulling out of the EU but you will not do that,it’s a good gravy train.
I look forward to the next set of idea’s from the government with relish.
Maybe they will do what the majority of the British public want and pull out of the EU then we can get our country back and it will be Great Britain again and not a benefit paradise for the greedy and feckless from the EU.
Comment by Emilie on October 11, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Dear Damian,
Have to say, agree fully with David in the current climate. Albeit, No fault of the conservatives. The British need the current government to get tough and sort out the mess left by Labour.
Immigration must be cut both internationally and from EU. Britain needs to be British once more investing fairly in its own people not just immigrants/asylum seekers.
The question of faireness gives rise to another question – fair to whom exactly?
Bring back control from the EU (Referendums and preferably much more). Keep the pound, give the British workforce a fighting first chance, keep the money in the country and cut the level of british unemployed, stress on public services and reduce tax evasion/fraud, welfare etc. etc. all at the same time.
Immigration is the root cause to many evils in the UK and also leads to exploitation of workers, youngsters, HSE issues and the list goes on and on. Does the government really think (at this time) that ‘Eu migrants’ think Britain is a ‘Nicer’ place to live than ‘other’ countries of the EU, offering a better quality of life than thier own country? Don’t think so…
Large proportions of EU workers come to the UK earn tax free money and blatantly admit that they take their money home to invest in their own lovely country which they prefer over UK (need evidence – no problem!). Thus, Coming only to UK as it’s so generous and lots of ways to get money tax free and housing/benefits etc..
We plead with you to get tough.
Emilie
Comment by Arnie Whittle on October 19, 2010 at 11:29 am
I am glad that the heading reads early action on immigration, but acording to tne Mail today ther are now 2.4 million immigrants working in the UK not much of a change then, how much longer will we the British people have to put up with weak inactive politicians running this country, the cost to British people in jobs, and to the cost of this country in lost revenue is mind boggling all money earned by these people goes out of the country and is invested else were I do not see any action at all on this subject
Comment by jinfoo on October 22, 2010 at 3:50 pm
I agree with Arnie. a lot of big companies are still employing non british people even under going downsizing. A unit should be set up to investigate the issue so that new policy can be set up to tackle this issue and let more people find jobs. Government can start with GPB 300 a month for those foreign workers earning more then 2000 Pounds. They can afford and should contribute to the society. Or shorten the 2 years visa for those coming from commonwealth countries and impose a cap on their salaries.
Comment by Mrs Rena McCarthy on November 5, 2010 at 1:23 am
Importing entrepreneurs seems a good idea on the face of it but we’ve been there before in the 1980′s. We had a small family company whose goods were in the government catalogue. We found that both Oriental and Asian customers were peristent hagglers before settling upon a price and placing an order. We found the Oriental customers would be knocking on the door with full payment the day after completion of a job but the Asian customer would carry on haggling after the job was completed and would even decide to withhold payment. Due to high legal costs prevailing at the time coupled with legal advice to “put it down to experience” many small traders in this part of Britain found themselves out of pocket and eventually refused to extend customary courteous credit facilities to the latter aliens.
Comment by A Whittle on February 20, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Well at last a response on immigration that says that the border system is not working and has not been working since 2005 well that took a long time coming
this government must have very strict border controls to stop people entering this country, in Austalia you cannot take in an orange or tea past customs from another country let alone people you have lost the plot
Comment by Ben Quinn on March 7, 2012 at 10:51 am
Wednesday, 7th March 2012
Dear Sir,
I was interested to hear your comments on Channel 4 News last night, 6th March 2012.
I agree with your sentiments about the present work situation and the availability of migrant, low skilled workers mostly from Poland who have come to the UK.
The vast majority of unemployed people, I would say as much as 99% are actively seeking employment and would take the first available job offered to them, I am one of them!
The migrant worker situation is not helping the indigenous population of the UK in gaining employment in these difficult times. When the availability of cheap, unskilled labour who in most cases cannot speak English is putting a severe strain on any available jobs, UK citizens and workers are increasingly growing frustrated with this mass influx.
The situation in the UK at this time is not favourable too the mass influx of Eastern European migrants! Many of whom whilst here have committed serious crimes.
My solution to the problem is that UK employers should seriously consider UK citizens as their first choice as employees;
Mr Green said Britain remains open to skilled migrants but called on businesses to kick the “habit” of immigration and hire British-born workers.
“Like all addictions, it takes some time to wean people off but it’s good for you to be weaned off an addiction and it will be good for business in the long run if we have more of an instinct that’s, ‘Let’s find a British worker and, if necessary, let’s train a British worker’,” The Telegrath, 7th March 2012.
People who have lived here for generations, have paid their taxes, defended the country from foreign invaders, contributed to trade and industrial growth and development and in no small degree brought civilization to the planet.
Respectfully yours,
Mr Ben Quinn
Comment by R Marshall on May 10, 2012 at 2:27 pm
2.75 million people unemployed.Approx 100 thousand jobs created last year.8 out of 10 jobs going to foreigners.225 thousand immigrants (and rising ) enterered this Country.Simple matter of mathmatics!
Do we end the madness of immigration and put British people first or do we continue with this madness
Comment by A Whittle on July 24, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I think that the acrions on Immigration are to slow and are not affective in stopping the flow of people entering this country, you do not have any idea who is residing here in this country, and there are no accurate figures, and the cost of this problem are vast in costs on housing, health provision, loss of jobs to British people, loss of futures for the young in good employment positions, I could go on and on and now the true figures of population growth increases are coming to light how are you going to pay for this increase in population. Well there seems to be a finger pointing at the pensioners doing more working longer and paying with every penny they have to provide for themselves in old age, that was alway obvious to me that this group were going to be the ones to hit hard.