Associated Press
Sir Keir Starmer announces tighter immigration rules at 10 Downing Street.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces plans to take back control of our borders in the Labour Government’s White Paper published today.

The Prime Minister gave a speech at Downing Street on Monday promising to cut immigration levels ‘significantly’.

The slogan, “Take back control of our borders”, was also used as part of this announcement this morning.

The changes

As part of the changes to the immigration policy, migrants who move to the UK will have to spend a decade in Britain before they can apply for citizenship and stricter English language requirements.

The policy states that people will have to “earn the privilege” to live in the United Kingdom.

Skilled workers will also now have to hold a university degree and applying for jobs with skill shortages will have tighter restrictions.

When speaking at the Immigration White Paper press conference, the Prime Minister promised that migration numbers will fall.

“Now, make no mistake – this plan means migration will fall. That’s a promise”, Keir Starmer said.

Because the chaos of the previous government also changed the nature of immigration in this country. Fewer people who make a strong economic contribution, more who work in parts of our economy that put downward pressure on wages.

Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister

The Prime Minister also added that, “the biggest shift in this White Paper is that we will finally honour what ‘take back control’ meant and begin to choose who comes here so that migration works for our national interest.”

Criticism of a Government gone by

The Prime Minister also used this morning’s speech as a chance to criticise the previous Government’s attempts to cut back immigration.

“Take back control.’ Everyone knows that slogan and what it meant for immigration, or at least that’s what people thought.”, Starmer said.

“Because of what followed from the previous Government, starting with the people who used that slogan, was the complete opposite.

“That’s not control – it’s chaos.”

Nigel Farage’s comments

The leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage believes that the Government are making promises that they ‘can’t keep’

He posted on X after the announcment: “This government will not do what it takes to control our borders. Only Reform UK will leave the ECHR and deport illegal migrants.”