Former Home Secretary criticizes record-breaking net migration numbers
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has denounced the recent surge in net migration, calling it a "slap in the face" for British voters. This comes after statisticians revised their previous total for last year, stating that they had underestimated migration levels by 139,000 due to "unexpected" behavior.
Braverman leads Tory backlash
Suella Braverman has led a significant backlash from the right-wing of the Conservative Party, claiming that she had advocated for stricter immigration controls during her time in Cabinet. Braverman expressed her dismay at the record-breaking figure of 745,000 net migrants, stating that it equates to the population of Birmingham and puts unsustainable pressure on housing, the NHS, schools, wages, and community cohesion.
Pledge to reduce migration
Braverman highlighted that the Conservative Party was elected on a pledge to reduce net migration. She criticized the current numbers as a betrayal of the British public's desire for control and reduction of migration. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who dismissed Braverman, has been warned by right-wing members of his party that cutting migration is a "do or die" issue, following his previous commitment to reduce it to 2019 levels of 230,000.
No10 admits figures are "far too high"
Downing Street has acknowledged that the current migration figures are "far too high." In response, they are reportedly developing a package of measures to address the issue, which is expected to include stricter rules for workers bringing their dependents.
Good news in slight decrease
The only silver lining for the Prime Minister is that the Office for National Statistics has reported a slightly lower net migration figure of 672,000 for the year up to June 2023. During that period, a total of 1.18 million people came to the UK, with 508,000 leaving.
Tory MPs demand action
The New Conservatives faction of Tory MPs has emphasized the importance of honoring the promises made to the electorate and has called for action. Ex-Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg expressed his embarrassment at the failure to achieve the desired reduction in migration.
