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28/04/2004
Immigration review ordered days before EU enlargement
Mr Blair has issued a reassurance that Britain's borders have never been so secure, amid ordering a comprehensive review of immigration and asylum abuse just days before 10 nation states join the enlarged European Union.
The Prime Minister told top business leaders at the CBI conference yesterday that restrictions on housing and welfare benefits would help curb such abuses.
But Conservative leader Michael Howard responded to Mr Blair's speech by saying that the review displayed an element of "blind panic" and the government had "let us down" on immigration.
In his speech Mr Blair admitted there were "real concerns" about immigration and said that these were "not figments of racist imagination".
However, describing government strategy as having a number of "interlocking elements", the Prime Minister said: "We will neither be Fortress Britain, nor will we be an open house. Where necessary, we will tighten the immigration system. Where there are abuses we will deal with them, so that public support for the controlled migration that benefits Britain is maintained."
Measures will include tighter controls on access to social housing and Mr Blair said: "No-one will be able to come to the UK from anywhere in the enlarged European Union simply to claim benefits or housing. There will be no support for the economically inactive."
Quotas for low-skilled migrant workers are to be reduced.
While immigration had "suddenly become high on the agenda", Mr Blair urged "sensitivity in handling the issue".
The ten countries joining the European Union are: Cyprus; Czech Republic; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Hungary; Malta; Poland; Slovakia; and Slovenia.
A UK citizen ID card scheme, currently undergoing a trial, is not expected to be fully operational until at least 2008.
(SP)
The Prime Minister told top business leaders at the CBI conference yesterday that restrictions on housing and welfare benefits would help curb such abuses.
But Conservative leader Michael Howard responded to Mr Blair's speech by saying that the review displayed an element of "blind panic" and the government had "let us down" on immigration.
In his speech Mr Blair admitted there were "real concerns" about immigration and said that these were "not figments of racist imagination".
However, describing government strategy as having a number of "interlocking elements", the Prime Minister said: "We will neither be Fortress Britain, nor will we be an open house. Where necessary, we will tighten the immigration system. Where there are abuses we will deal with them, so that public support for the controlled migration that benefits Britain is maintained."
Measures will include tighter controls on access to social housing and Mr Blair said: "No-one will be able to come to the UK from anywhere in the enlarged European Union simply to claim benefits or housing. There will be no support for the economically inactive."
Quotas for low-skilled migrant workers are to be reduced.
While immigration had "suddenly become high on the agenda", Mr Blair urged "sensitivity in handling the issue".
The ten countries joining the European Union are: Cyprus; Czech Republic; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania; Hungary; Malta; Poland; Slovakia; and Slovenia.
A UK citizen ID card scheme, currently undergoing a trial, is not expected to be fully operational until at least 2008.
(SP)
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22 April 2005
Labour attack Conservatives on immigration
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Labour attack Conservatives on immigration
Prime Minister Tony Blair has attacked the Conservatives election campaign on immigration, accusing them of attempting to “exploit people’s fears” on the issue.
07 April 2004
Immigration debate needs 'balance and perspective', says Blair
The Prime Minister has called for "a sense of balance and perspective" over the immigration issue. Despite the resignation of Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes over a suspected immigration "scam" in Romania and Bulgaria, Mr Blair said that it was "absolutely clear" that the vast majority of inward and outward migration had been perfectly lawful.
Immigration debate needs 'balance and perspective', says Blair
The Prime Minister has called for "a sense of balance and perspective" over the immigration issue. Despite the resignation of Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes over a suspected immigration "scam" in Romania and Bulgaria, Mr Blair said that it was "absolutely clear" that the vast majority of inward and outward migration had been perfectly lawful.
31 August 2012
Nine Convicted Over Bedfordshire Immigration Scam
A Luton business man who used one of his restaurants as a cover for an immigration scam has been convicted. Gyash Uddin, 39, of Ivy Road, sponsored visa applications for family members from Bangladesh to come to the UK where he then employed them at his restaurant Moja, in Mill Road, Leighton Buzzard.
Nine Convicted Over Bedfordshire Immigration Scam
A Luton business man who used one of his restaurants as a cover for an immigration scam has been convicted. Gyash Uddin, 39, of Ivy Road, sponsored visa applications for family members from Bangladesh to come to the UK where he then employed them at his restaurant Moja, in Mill Road, Leighton Buzzard.
03 June 2013
Cardiff Clamp-Down On 'Illegal' Workers
Three people have been arrested during a clampdown on illegal workers in Cardiff. Immigration Minister Mark Harper was present at a series of enforcement raids in Cardiff to witness first hand the work being done to apprehend those working and living in the UK illegally.
Cardiff Clamp-Down On 'Illegal' Workers
Three people have been arrested during a clampdown on illegal workers in Cardiff. Immigration Minister Mark Harper was present at a series of enforcement raids in Cardiff to witness first hand the work being done to apprehend those working and living in the UK illegally.
15 May 2013
65th Person Arrested In Operation Elveden
Met detectives investigating suspected corruption have arrested a former immigration centre employee. Officers from Operation Elveden arrested the 40-year-old man at his home in Slough, Berkshire, around 06:00 this morning (Wednesday). According to the BBC he is being held on suspicion of corruption and misconduct in public office.
65th Person Arrested In Operation Elveden
Met detectives investigating suspected corruption have arrested a former immigration centre employee. Officers from Operation Elveden arrested the 40-year-old man at his home in Slough, Berkshire, around 06:00 this morning (Wednesday). According to the BBC he is being held on suspicion of corruption and misconduct in public office.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Quite cloudy across all counties at first but a few late sunny spells most likely towards Down and Antrim. Clearer skes becoming more widespread later this evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
