\n
Last year, net migration – the number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving – was 685,000, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, the government introduced new laws designed to cut immigration numbers.<\/p>\n
They included increasing the minimum salary requirement for some skilled work visas by nearly 50%, as well as increasing the salary requirement for skilled workers to bring family dependents with them.<\/p>\n
When that policy was announced, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said while net migration “should come down”, the Conservatives were “failing to introduce more substantial reforms that link immigration to training and fair pay requirements in the UK, meaning many sectors will continue to see rising numbers of work visas because of skills shortages”.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir has previously described net migration levels as “shockingly high” and this fresh commitment is likely to be seen as an attempt to appeal to traditional Conservative voters.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed policy, bosses who breach employment law, such as by paying below minimum wage, could be banned from hiring foreigners.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party said the new Labour policy announced on Sunday was a “U-turn” on Sir Keir’s principles.<\/p>\n
“This is the man who called all immigration laws racist and voted against tougher border controls 139 times,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Alison Thewliss, from the SNP, said: \u201cInstead of coming forward with policies based on Scotland\u2019s needs, Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak are both amping up the far-right belief that migrants are to blame for all of our problems – but it\u2019s not migrants, it\u2019s Westminster.”<\/p>\n
“From our care sector and our NHS to our economy, the cruel immigration policies that both the Tories and Keir Starmer\u2019s Labour have now adopted directly harm Scotland,” she said.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said: “It\u2019s clear the Conservatives have failed on immigration and broken every promise they\u2019ve ever made.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Keir](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/8ead\/live\/d3e05860-2081-11ef-80aa-699d54c46324.jpg.webp)
<\/picture><\/span>PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n