Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Craig Smith has welcomed a series of measures to reduce legal immigration, and further steps to deter illegal immigration into the UK, most notably the signing of a new treaty with Rwanda for processing those who enter the Country illegally.
The Prime Minister has vowed to take hard decisions to deliver the Conservative Party pledge of seeing the biggest cut in net migration whilst delivering on the Brexit commitments of taking back control of our borders and enforcing a points-based immigration system.
The Home Secretary James Cleverly has set out a 5-point plan to curb in increase in migration with the following actions:
- Ban care workers bringing family dependants to the UK
- End companies being able to pay workers 20% less than the going rate for jobs on a shortage occupation list
- Increase the annual charge foreign workers pay to use the NHS from £624 to £1,035
- Raise the minimum income for family visas to £38,700, from £18,600 from next spring
- Ask the government's migration adviser to review the graduate visa route to "prevent abuse".
In addition to this, the Prime Minister has promised further action to curb illegal immigration and stop the boat crossings over the channel. The small boat crossings are down by a third on last year. This is due to measures such as a deportation deal with Albania, a deal with France to intercept the boats and increases in immigration staff. Further measures include a new illegal migrant processing treaty with Rwanda that deals with the court objections.
North West Leicestershire Conservative PPC Craig Smith said “People on the streets of North West Leicestershire are telling me they want to see immigration reduced, and I very much welcome the plans laid out by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary to do this. Whilst we do need a level of immigration to plug gaps in the labour force, the spike in the rate following covid is totally unsustainable and puts massive strain on our infrastructure and public services, something I see for myself in my Children's Services Cabinet role at Leicestershire County Council. We need employers to invest in training our existing workforce instead of relying on cheaper labour from abroad.”
Craig continued “I also welcome the action on stopping the small boat crossings and defeating the criminal gangs who organise these dangerous trips. The Rwanda deal, as well as deals with Albania and France, are key to deterring these criminals and protecting our borders. It is my hope that the Government can get on and do this without any further interference.”
