Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to today’s immigration figures, said:

“Despite all the promises and rhetoric from David Cameron and Theresa May, their net migration target is in tatters. 

“David Cameron promised "no ifs, no buts” he would meet this net migration target yet today’s figures are over three times the level he promised, and over 50,000 higher than when they took office.

“He chose this target and said it was his promise to the British people. No wonder there is so little trust in the Government’s immigration system or the Prime Minister’s promises on anything, when there is such a massive gap between his rhetoric and the reality.

“The Government's net migration target is the worst of all worlds. It doesn’t include illegal immigration, where enforcement has got worse. Yet Theresa May’s obsession with the target has led her to target valuable university students, who bring billions into Britain whilst doing nothing to make the labour market fairer for local workers, preventing undercutting by exploitative employers or putting in place proper border controls so we can count people in and out to enforce the rules. 

“Immigration is important but it needs to be controlled and managed so the system is fair. That’s why Labour has a plan for sensible reform. A Labour Government will bring in stronger border controls with 1,000 more staff, stronger enforcement to stop employers exploiting cheap migrant labour to undercut wages and jobs, new rules to make sure people contribute first and can’t claim benefits until they have lived here for two years, and pursue European reform to strengthen transitional controls and change child benefit rules. We would bring in different controls and targets for different kinds of immigration so we can cut illegal immigration, reduce low skilled migration but still get the top talent and University students who benefit Britain. 

“David Cameron and Theresa May have failed on​ their own measure, they have ramped up the rhetoric without ever bringing in practical measures to address the impact of immigration or make the system �����|”