UK Prime Minister unveils tough immigration reform, faces backlash over controversial rhetoric
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In a significant shift in Britain’s immigration policy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a series of reforms aimed at drastically reducing net migration by the end of the current parliamentary term.
While the move signals a tougher stance on immigration, the government has stopped short of imposing a formal cap on the number of people allowed to enter the UK.
Speaking at a press conference, Starmer challenged the long-held belief that increased immigration drives economic growth, stating that the evidence from the past four years disproves that theory. “The idea that higher migration brings higher growth just doesn’t hold up,” he said.
One of the most notable changes includes doubling the residency requirement for individuals seeking British citizenship. The prime minister framed the reforms as part of a broader strategy to boost domestic skills and employment, saying, “This is not just an immigration white paper — it's also a white paper for skills and training.”
While he avoided confirming whether net migration would decrease annually until the next election, Starmer did assure the public that the overall numbers would decline by the end of the parliamentary period.
Despite his firm stance, Starmer emphasised that the UK would not set a hard limit on immigration figures, a decision that offers some hope to prospective migrants.
However, the announcement has drawn significant criticism, particularly over Starmer’s use of the phrase “an island of strangers” to describe his concerns about unchecked migration. Critics argue the language mirrors that of right-wing parties and risks inciting xenophobic sentiments.
Refugee charity Care4Calais condemned the prime minister’s remarks, calling them “shameful” and “dangerous.” CEO Steve Smith warned that such rhetoric could embolden far-right elements and potentially lead to civil unrest. “This kind of language risks fanning the flames of hatred. Starmer must apologise,” Smith said, referencing previous far-right riots in the UK.
Starmer also took aim at the former government, accusing it of misleading the public on immigration. “Between 2019 and 2023, they claimed to be reducing immigration, but net migration actually quadrupled,” he said.
