MPs criticise Tory plan for UK immigration cap
January 18 2010 by Liam Clifford
Nick Clegg slams Tories plans for UK immigration saying that it would damage industry.
Liberal Democrat
leader Nick Clegg and the Communities Secretary John Denham have both spoken out
to oppose David Cameron’s plans to cap UK immigration levels.
Nick Clegg,
speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, said the plan to cut the number of
people from outside the EU moving to the UK by "tens of thousands" would be
damaging. He pointed out that some industries are desperate for more UK work
visa holders.
He explained, “some parts of Scotland ... and the
fruit-picking trade in Lincolnshire, for example, badly need more workers to
come in.” He said that there is an argument for encouraging people to work in
the UK in regions where labour shortages have occurred. He explained that the
Australian immigration system has brought in similar measures with much
success.
Clegg’s views were echoed by the Communities Secretary John
Denham who claimed that measures to cap immigration levels could prevent
much-needed professionals, such as heart surgeons and business people, from
working in the UK - to the detriment of UK industry and its economy.
He
added that the new UK points based system is working, insisting, "we have got
tight UK immigration control - the points-based system that is now in place means
that people can only come here if what they are going to give to this country is
something we need."
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