Political parties begin war of words over immigration

Up to 1,000 new jobs in border control, fingerprinting of illegal immigrants, and a requirement to speak English are among a raft of proposals unveiled by Labour today designed to tackle the issue of immigration.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said people had become increasingly concerned about immigration, but said "progressive reforms" were needed to ensure the UK could benefit from the positives while addressing problems.

Other proposed measures include:

• Exit checks to enable visas to be enforced

• Working with other EU countries to tackle the problems at Calais

• Stronger controls on short-term student visas

• Outlaw 'exploitative' zero-hour contracts

• Double fines handed to employers who break the rules

• Serious exploitation would become a criminal offence

She said Labour would also support the creation of thousands of more apprenticeships to help students get into work straight after leaving school.

The Shadow Home Secretary has admitted Labour "got things wrong" on immigration in the past.

Addressing a conference today, Yvette Cooper said the party should have controlled immigration from Eastern Europe, and should have done more about the impact it had on low-skilled jobs and communities.

But, she added, she believes the Tories are "failing on every count", with their promises "in tatters", while UKIP were just "promoting division".

She said Labour's plan was focused on ensuring "fair movement rather than free movement".

Labour's Yvette Cooper has unveiled a five-point plan to tackle immigration, as part of what she called a "progressive approach" to the issue.

• Honest debate, challenging 'misinformation' while acknowledging problems and the need for reform
• Stronger enforcement
• Smarter controls on different kinds of migration
• Action to tackle the unequal impact of migration on jobs and wages
• Fairer rules to make sure everyone contributes to a community, preventing division

The Shadow Home Secretary admitted migration from Europe was a problem, as there are fewer controls - but insisted membership of the EU was of great benefit to Britain.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has claimed migrant labour is being exploited in some sectors by those looking to undercut local wages.

She said the practice meant people on low incomes were feeling an even bigger squeeze, and risked being "left behind".

An alternative, progressive approach to immigration is needed, she said, based on what is "good for Britain and what is fair for all", to protect those on low incomes from losing out.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has promised a "practical and sensible debate" on reforms needed to make the immigration system fair.

In a speech today, Ms Cooper said an outward-looking approach was necessary for the UK to continue to "punch above its weight" on the global stage - though acknowledged there were problems with the current immigration system which were in danger of undermining confidence.

She denied it was not "right wing" to discuss immigration, and said Labour would offer a "progressive approach", including managed migration, to make the most of what immigration could offer the UK economy.

She accused of UKIP of "exploiting" fears over immigration, and said Prime Minister David Cameron was just "playing catch-up". But she also criticised liberal commentators who downplay concerns to do with immigration.

Home Secretary Theresa May has dismissed Labour's plans for 1,000 extra border guards claiming the party's sums for the pledge do not add up.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper is set to outline plans to enhance the number of border guards by imposing a charge on visitors from the US and 55 other countries in a speech later, but Ms May says the fee would only apply to around 230,300 people, and would pay for just 59 border staff

She said: "Labour are pretending they can hire 1,000 more immigration staff when their funding model would raise enough money for only 59 new staff members.

"And as their secret spending review contains plans to cut the Home Office budget, they are being especially dishonest."

Ms May added: "And what's more, by relaxing the Government's immigration reforms, Labour would take Britain backwards and risk a surge in both legal and illegal immigration.

"This disastrous policy launch shows Labour aren't remotely ready for the responsibility of government".

Labour will seek to enhance its pitch to voters on immigration with a pledge to pay for 1,000 extra border guards by imposing a charge on visitors from the US and 55 other countries.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper will criticise other parties for engaging in an "arms race of rhetoric" on the issue in a speech later.

But she will accept that Labour "needs to talk more" about public concerns and say action to restore public confidence that illegal entrants are being caught and dealt with is "vital for a progressive approach".

Under the proposals, nationals in countries enjoying a "visa waiver" system of fast-track permission to enter the UK will face a charge of around £10 per visit, which the party said would more than cover the £45 million cost of the additional staff.

Ms Cooper is expected to say: "Too often the debate about immigration becomes polarised and unhealthy.

"In a shouting match, sensible voices are sometimes not heard, that's why Labour needs to set out practical reforms as part of a sensible debate on the changes we need."

• Read: Migrants willing to risk everything to reach Europe