Labour MP Khalid Mahmood wants his party to fight the next election on a net migration pledge that is significantly more stringent than what the Tories are proposing.
Speaking on GB News, Mahmood told Political Editor Christopher Hope that he would be “happy” with a net migration figure of 100,000.
It comes amid proposals from the Government to bring net migration down to around 400,000, meaning Mahmood’s suggestion would represent a dramatic decrease.
The Labour MP said one of the main contributors to high levels of net migration is unemployment as it results in migrants coming in to fill roles.
Khalid Mahmood wants his party to reduce net migration to 100,000
GB NEWS / PA
He called for more resource being put into training young people for jobs, which he believes will go a long way to cutting the level of net migration.
“I would certainly be very happy with less than 100,000”, he said.
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The Government is under pressure to cut net migration
GB News
Christopher Mahmood pressed Mahmood on the matter
GB NEWS
“We need to work at that and put proper resources into places to get young people working.
“I would certainly like that and the Labour Party is moving towards that.”
GB News host Martin Daubney waded in to comment that Mahmood is “agreeing with Farage” by proposing such a drastic cut.
He responded by saying that while he does not agree with Farage on many matters, he believes this could be an issue they align on.
“We need to get our young people into education and training to get those jobs and reduce those levels of unemployment”, he said.
“We need to get our people back into work properly.”
It comes as the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures suggested the UK population could reach nearly 74 million by 2036, up from the latest estimate of 67 million, with net migration adding around six million people.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said migration is “too high”, adding: “We must get back to sustainable levels.”
The “robust measures” come as part of a “firm approach, but a fair one”, and give people “time to prepare whilst ensuring that migration comes down”, he added.
“The British people want to see action, not words. We are delivering the change we promised and which they expect, lifting pressure on public services and protecting British workers with the utmost urgency”, Cleverly said.