IMMIGRATION BACK UNDER CONTROL

Immigration was one of the biggest issues on the door step during the election. Weak borders, lax immigration rules, ineffective enforcement all resulting in significant increases in migration to the UK that was unsustainable.
And we were clear about our commitment to address this system that was out of control. The Coalition has introduced the first annual limit on non EU migrants that will strictly control the number of people coming here to work. A limit of 21,000 has been placed for those with skills or exceptional skills, and transfers within companies will be limited to those earning more than £40,000. This is to ensure that it is only those with exceptional talents are able to come and work in the UK.
These are really important measures to bring back some common sense to our immigration policies and ensure that we respond to the difficulties that unabated immigration has caused.
But in Thanet we do have to get the balance right. Our wonderful English Language schools were very badly hit by the disproportionate regulations that the last government imposed on them restricting numbers and hitting our local economy. Our language schools not only employ many local people but also provide extra income for the many families who welcome the students into their homes during their courses and our high streets benefit from the extra trade out of season.
Roger Gale and I have been pushing for the Home Office to recognise that our local language schools – that are some of the best in the country – do not represent the risk to illegal migration that many others do. We have lobbied to ensure that their high standards are recognised and that the students coming to support our local economy are welcomed as being an important part of our local economy.