Huge migration row erupts on BBC Question Time: ‘Greatest betrayal!’ | Politics | News
A BBC Question Time audience has been told that the massive wave of immigration after Brexit is the “greatest betrayal” of British voters. Journalist Matthew Syed said voters supported Brexit because they were worried about high immigration rates, but this later took off under Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The Conservative Party-supporting columnist told the program hosted by Fiona Bruce that there are not enough homes available in the UK because planning restrictions are so tough. But he also said high levels of immigration were partly responsible for the situation. He explained: “We’re not planning to build housing, infrastructure, new hospitals and GPs, but at the same time, what happened?”
Explaining how immigration had increased, he said: “Immigration to this country between 1900 and 1997 averaged 10,000 people a year. I’m the son of an immigrant, I love immigration, it’s great. Under Labor the number rose to 200,000 a year between 1997 and 2010. That set the stage for Brexit, didn’t it? They told us they were going to control the borders. People were worried about immigration, not immigration numbers.”
“But let’s come to the most extraordinary thing: post-Brexit migration. After Boris Johnson said ‘we will reduce the numbers, we will control the borders’, it went from 200,000 and the average post-Brexit migration was 704,000.”
He continued: “This is extraordinary, isn’t our infrastructure limited?
“And then we had an unprecedented influx of people. Is it any wonder we’re feeling a strain on our infrastructure?”
Mr Syed said: “This is the ultimate betrayal of British voters who have consistently voted against this level of immigration.”
The government announced this week that immigrants coming to the UK to work will have to study English at A level under new rules.
Tighter requirements on speaking, listening, reading and writing will be required for certain visas as part of the immigration white paper measures announced by the government in May.
The white paper aims to tighten controls and reduce immigration to the UK.
Graduates under the skilled worker, extended visa pathways and high potential individual (HPI) visa will need to achieve B2 level instead of the current B1 standard.
Applicants will need to pass the Secure English Language Test in person at a Home Office approved provider and their results will be checked as part of the visa process.
The changes were introduced in Parliament on Tuesday and are expected to come into force following November 4.
Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood said: “This country has always welcomed those who come and contribute to this country.
“But it is unacceptable for immigrants to come here without learning our language and without contributing to our national life.
“If you come to this country, you should learn our language and do your part.”
However, the move has been criticized for pushing a false narrative that immigrants in the UK largely lack basic English skills.
