Posted on 10/28/2007 7:54:05 PM PDT by blam
David Cameron: 'UK needs immigration cut'
Reports by James Kirkup, Political Correspondent
Last Updated: 2:23am GMT 29/10/2007
Immigration is too high and must be reduced, David Cameron is to announce.
The speech effectively ends David Cameron's near silence on the issue
In his first major speech on the issue, the Tory leader will challenge Gordon Brown to a "grown-up" debate.
Effectively tackling Mr Brown on his slogan "British jobs for British workers", he will suggest that, if more British citizens work instead of claiming benefits, there will be fewer vacancies to attract immigrants.
The population is projected to pass 70 million in the next 25 years. Mr Cameron will tie immigration to social policy, ranking it alongside family break-down as a key driver of rising British households. This in turn has pushed up house prices.
"We must recognise that in an advanced, open economy there will be high levels of emigration and immigration," he will say.
"But what matters is the net figure, which I believe is currently too high. So we need policy to reduce the level of net immigration."
The speech effectively ends Mr Cameron's near silence on the issue since becoming leader in 2005. Aides say this was a vital part of shedding the Tory brand's negative image among centrist voters.
But now, with Tory poll ratings consistently around the crucial 40 per cent mark, party insiders insist Mr Cameron take on Labour on issues such as immigration and tax.
Mr Cameron will say Mr Brown's failed social policies have fuelled immigration. "He assumes we can't do much about family failure, we can't get significant numbers of people off benefits and into work and we use immigration to deal with our capacity shortages. But I don't think it's sustainable."
Mr Cameron will not offer new policies on immigration.
Instead he will explain the three "vital components" that will inform his approach. "First, a sober and forensic understanding of the facts: the scale and nature of this challenge. Second, action to ensure our population grows at a sustainable rate. Third, action to prepare properly for that sustainable level of growth."
Mr Cameron will find support from the all-party Local Government Association. This week it publishes a study detailing the burden that immigration has placed on local authorities.
In some areas immigrants make up one in eight of the workforce. But government funds have not kept pace.
Tories yesterday also accused Labour of failing to get to grips with the number of people claiming benefits.
More than 2.4 million people have been claiming benefits for more than five years - 600,000 higher than in 1999, figures for 2006 reveal.
In 33 local authority areas, more than 10 per cent of the working age population have spent at least five years on benefits.
Of the 10 local authorities with the highest percentage of long-term claimants, five are in industrial south Wales, four are in northern England and one is in Scotland.
DUH alert!
No kidding. The Tories are pathetic these days.
Like many of our Republicans : )
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