David Hanson MP, Labour’s Shadow Immigration Minister, responding to senior Conservatives branding the Tory migration pledge a mistake, said:

“The Government’s immigration policy goes from chaos to failure and back to chaos.

“Not only has David Cameron broken his own “no ifs, no buts” promise on reducing net migration which now stands at over 50,000 more than when he came to office. It’s now clear that fellow Conservative Cabinet ministers don’t think David Cameron and Theresa May’s immigration policy is working either.

“Labour has long argued that 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. Stronger border controls with 1,000 more staff, stronger enforcement to stop employers exploiting cheap migrant labour to undercut wages and jobs, and new rules to make sure people contribute first and can’t claim benefits until they have lived here for two years.

“What is clear today is that the Prime Minister has badly handled immigration; he’s hurting UK prospects and his rhetoric isn't even now believed by his own side.”