Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Starmer pledges sharp fall in net migration by 2029

The government announced several measures, including restricting skilled worker visas to graduate-level roles, preventing care sector firms from hiring from abroad, and requiring businesses to train more local workers.

Starmer-speech-Reuters

Although he did not give a specific target, Starmer said migration would fall sharply under his government’s new plan. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Monday said net migration to Britain would drop significantly by the end of this parliament in 2029, promising greater control to support social cohesion and boost local workforce investment.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer said countries need rules to define rights, responsibilities and obligations, and warned that without them, Britain risked "becoming an island of strangers".


Although he did not give a specific target, Starmer said migration would fall sharply under his government’s new plan.

"That's a promise, but I want to be very clear on this, if we do need to take further steps, if we do need to do more to release pressure on housing and our public services, then mark my words, we will," he said.

The government announced several measures on Monday, including restricting skilled worker visas to graduate-level roles, preventing care sector firms from hiring from abroad, and requiring businesses to train more local workers.

It also plans to raise the residency requirement for settlement and citizenship from five to ten years, though highly skilled workers such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI experts would be eligible for fast-tracking.

All adult dependents will now be required to demonstrate a basic understanding of English, a change the government said would help integration and reduce the risk of exploitation.

Migration has been a major political issue in Britain for years. Critics say rising numbers can strain housing and public services, while many businesses argue they face staff shortages and need access to overseas workers.

The number of EU migrants fell after Brexit, but overall numbers rose due to new visa rules, a higher intake of foreign students, and arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong.

Net migration reached a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023. In 2019, before Britain left the EU, the figure was 184,000.

Neil Carberry, chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said Starmer's announcement would cause concern for employers.

Responding to business worries, Starmer said high immigration had not been linked with economic growth in recent years. "So that link doesn't hold on that evidence," he said.

Conservative response to Starmer’s speech

Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Keir Starmer has no credibility on this issue. This is the man who once described immigration laws as racist and wrote letters protesting at the deportation of foreign criminals.

“Starmer has tried to claim credit for the reduction in legal immigration since the election - which resulted from Conservative policies.

“Meanwhile, because Keir Starmer cancelled the Rwanda deterrent last July before it even started, this year so far has been the worst in history for illegal immigrants crossing the channel.

“Yvette Cooper admitted yesterday that their new policies would only reduce immigration by 50,000. That is not enough. The public rightly want the days of mass immigration to end. That’s why later today we will force a vote on creating a binding annual cap on immigration to be set by Parliament. If Labour were actually serious about slashing migration, they will support the immigration cap at this evening’s vote.”

(With inputs from agencies)

More For You

UK Traveller Dies from Rabies After Dog Exposure in Morocco

Rabies causes a serious infection of the brain and nervous system in humans

iStock

UK woman dies from rabies after Morocco dog exposure

A woman from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, has died after contracting rabies following contact with a stray dog while on holiday in Morocco, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

The agency stated that the woman became infected during her trip to the North African country. There is no documented evidence of rabies spreading between humans, so the wider public is not considered at risk.

Keep ReadingShow less
Abortion-law-uk-getty

Protesters from pro-choice group 'abortion rights' gather near parliament, where MPs were voting on the decriminalisation of abortion on June 17, 2025 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

MPs vote to end prosecution of women for abortion in England and Wales

UK MPs have voted in favour of ending the prosecution of women in England and Wales for ending their own pregnancies, marking a significant step towards changing how abortion laws are applied.

Under current laws, women can face criminal charges if they terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks or without the approval of two doctors. These laws still carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian Green politician claims party purges gender-critical voices

Dr Pallavi Devulapalli (Photo: X/@doctorpallavi)

Asian Green politician claims party purges gender-critical voices

A FORMER Green Party health spokesperson has accused the party of shifting away from its core values and trying to silence members with gender-critical views.

Dr Pallavi Devulapalli, a general practitioner and local councillor in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, was expelled from the Green Party this month. She claimed her removal was linked to her views on transgender rights, not to a rule violation as stated by the party. “They didn’t come out and say it was about gender. So they expelled me on a technicality,” she was quoted as saying.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sadiq Khan pushes ahead with Oxford Street pedestrian plan
Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan pushes ahead with Oxford Street pedestrian plan

LONDON mayor Sadiq Khan has confirmed that Oxford Street will be pedestrianised “as quickly as possible” following strong backing in a public consultation. The move comes as part of wider efforts to revive the West End’s shopping appeal.

The consultation, which gathered over 6,600 responses from businesses, residents and organisations, showed two-thirds support for the mayor’s proposal to ban most traffic from a 0.7-mile stretch of Oxford Street, the Guardian reported. The plan includes space for outdoor cafés, events and improved public areas.

Keep ReadingShow less
Conference highlights religious persecution in Bangladesh and Baluchistan

Conference at Westminster Highlights Religious Persecution in Bangladesh and Baluchistan

Conference highlights religious persecution in Bangladesh and Baluchistan

A high-profile conference on religious freedom in Bangladesh and Baluchistan was held at Portcullis House, Westminster, organised by the Dharmic Ideas & Policy Foundation (DIPF), hosted by Bob Blackman MP (Harrow East), and supported by APPG leaders on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB), including Richard James Shannon MP and Julie Jones on 9 June 2025.

Chairing the conference, Mr Blackman condemned the ongoing persecution of minorities in both regions, describing the situation as dire and deteriorating.

Keep ReadingShow less