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Jean Lambert London's Green MEP

Theresa May is “obsessed” with net immigration figures, says Green MEP

Jean labour debate

8 May 2017

Theresa May has indicated that the Conservative Party will reiterate its broken promise to cut net migration to the “tens of thousands” in its new election manifesto.

The target has been missed repeatedly since it was first pledged by David Cameron in 2010. Since then, the net migration level rose to a record 333,000 before dropping to the latest figure of 273,000 [1].

Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP and the Green Party’s migration spokesperson, says:

“For Theresa May, the UK’s net immigration figures are an obsession. The pledge is underpinned by a dogmatic worldview, which is dangerously out of kilter with the reality on the ground in 2017. At this time of political and economic upheaval, reducing net immigration will be deeply damaging to businesses. It will put increased strain on staffing at our school and hospitals, split up families, and undermine social inclusion and cohesion across the country.

This year it has become increasingly clear that Theresa May is perfectly happy to go renege on her commitments. Here’s yet another empty promise on which she will not, and cannot, deliver. She should learn from her mistakes, not repeat them.”

[1] http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-election-immigration-idUSKBN18410P

ENDS