09/11/2006

Cameron seeks immigration curbs

Conservative party leader David Cameron has unveiled plans to significantly reduce immigration.

Mr Cameron stressed control on immigration from outside the European Union was necessary for social and economic cohesion.

The Conservatives policy on immigration comes ahead of the announcement next week of new measures on immigration in the Queen's speech.

Conservatives have shied away from immigration policy as it was an issue that many party strategists believe may have cost the party votes in the general election.

However, the party are keen, following appropriate consultation on the issues, to see the measures such as limiting access to the UK on the basis of skills and introduction of annual limits on immigration.

Tories also advocate the setting up of border controls policed by a specific unified agency that will also have responsibility for removing those without permission to remain in the UK.

Rejecting any suggestion that the measures represented a shift to the right on policy, immigration spokesperson Damien Green said the policy was "tough and thoughtful."

The proposals set out by the Conservative Party today are expected to form the basis for the manifesto for the next General Election.

(SP/KMcA)

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