Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism after failing to include immigration targets in his newly unveiled 'plan for change' milestones. In a speech at Pinewood Studios near Slough, Starmer repeated his commitment to reduce both legal and illegal immigration but declined to set specific numerical goals, prompting backlash from Reform UK and Conservative MPs.
When pressed by reporters on the omission, Starmer argued that cutting immigration required a 'serious plan' and emphasised targeting people smuggling gangs. He described immigration reduction as a 'foundational' government duty, not a milestone. Reform UK criticised the lack of 'any measurable targets', while the Home Office reported nearly 34,000 Channel crossings so far this year, up 17% on the same period in 2023.
The Prime Minister's six milestones focus on economic growth, living standards, and public service improvements, but avoid immigration numbers. Labour sources insisted fresh efforts to tackle Channel crossings are showing results, though weather conditions were cited as a factor. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to 'restore order' to the migration system, blaming previous Tory failures.
Revised ONS figures show net migration hit a record 906,000 in the year to June 2023, though it has since fallen to 728,000. The cost of the UK's asylum system has risen to £5 billion, with 35,651 asylum seekers housed in hotels as of September. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch admitted her party had failed on migration, while warning her MPs against 'psychodrama' following recent defections.
