MP Welcomes Immigration Statement

17th June 2010
MP Welcomes Government Immigration Statement

Local MP, Gordon Henderson, has received an assurance from the Home Secretary, The Rt Hon Theresa May MP, that the new Coalition Government is committed to reducing the level of immigration and to ensuring that those applying to enter the UK on a marriage visa meet pre-entry English language requirements.

Mrs May set out the commitment in a letter to Mr Henderson in which she assured him that the new Government wanted to reduce net immigration to the tens of thousands, rather than the hundreds of thousands per year seen under the previous Labour Government.

Mr Henderson said:
“I welcome this assurance from Theresa. Reducing immigration was a Conservative pledge at the General Election, but I was concerned that our new Liberal Democrat coalition partners would seek to water our commitment down, which is why I raised the issue.

“I am delighted the Lib Dems are supporting this measure because it is very important that we both control and reduce immigration.

“Mrs May also made clear in her letter that the Government is determined that immigrants who settle in Britain should be capable of integrating and playing a full part in our economy and society.

“To that end the Government has outlined plans to require, from this Autumn, people applying to enter the UK on a marriage visa to meet a pre-entry English language test. This requirement will also be compulsory for people applying from within the UK. This is a very sensible measure that is long overdue.

“All in all this is an encouraging start by the new Government, but there is much more that should be done to properly control and reduce immigration and I am hopeful we will hear more announcements in the months ahead.”