VILLIERS: WHY WE NEED TO REDUCE IMMIGRATION

Theresa Villiers was among a number of election candidates to participate in a hustings meeting yesterday, taking place at St John the Baptist Church in High Barnet. A range of topics were addressed including immigration. Speaking after the meeting, Theresa set out her views on this important issue.

She said, "Immigration is a real concern for many people and needs calm and careful debate. Conservatives have developed a socially responsible immigration policy to ensure that Britain gets the economic benefits immigration can bring but also places sensible controls on it."

"First, we plan to introduce an explicit annual limit on the numbers of non-EU economic migrants. Under a Conservative Government there would be an annual limit on the numbers allowed to come here to work from outside the European Union, taking into consideration the effects a rising population has on our public services, transport infrastructure and local communities."

"We would introduce a two-stage process. The first stage will make eligible for admission only those who will benefit the economy. The second stage will control numbers with regard to the wider effects on society of their admission. These effects include the capacity of public services and infrastructure to cope with new arrivals (at both national and local levels), the environmental impact of a rapidly rising population, and the potential effects on community cohesion." 

"A Conservative Government would also impose transitional controls for new EU entrants, where this is permitted within EU rules. It is a matter of concern that Labour chose not to use these controls when so many other European countries did."

"To reduce illegal immigration, Conservatives will ensure our borders are properly policed. No immigration system will inspire confidence if our borders remain as badly protected as they have been throughout the lifetime of this Government. A Conservative Government would introduce a dedicated border police force to protect the UK from illegal immigration, terrorism, organised immigration crime and human trafficking."

"Finally, we must also focus on integrating migrants to reduce pressure on services like schools. A Conservative Government will insist that English is spoken to a competent level by people coming to the UK to get married and that they have passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test."