Temporary Immigration Cap Debate

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Department: Home Office

Temporary Immigration Cap

Jeremy Corbyn Excerpts
Monday 20th December 2010

(13 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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I do agree with the shadow Home Secretary on that point. He has said many interesting things about immigration—facing both sides of the issue, as he frequently does. However, I think that the country has decided. People want immigration limits, they want immigration brought down, and they elected this Government to do precisely that.

Jeremy Corbyn Portrait Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab)
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As the Minister appears to be under some pressure from employers in the private sector and the academic and research institutions with regard to the operation of the cap, is it such a good idea to reimpose a temporary cap tomorrow, rather than letting the consultation run its course and then coming up with a more thoughtful answer early next year?

Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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I think that the hon. Gentleman is, perhaps understandably, confused about the nature of the consultation. The consultation was on the permanent limit. That consultation is now over, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made a statement a few weeks ago which was, indeed, welcomed by business groups. We have laid to rest the legitimate concerns that business groups had about the operation of the permanent cap, which will now proceed—as was always intended—from April.