Green party dismisses immigration white paper as ‘panicked and misguided’

Green party co-leader Carla Denyer MP has slammed the government over its immigration white paper proposals and rhetoric. She said:

“The prime minister has decided to use divisive language lifted straight out of Reform’s playbook. These ill-thought-through reforms are the triumph of a panicked and misguided rush to create headlines and try to win back Reform voters.

“From closed down youth centres to shuttered pubs, people in all parts of the UK are feeling the bonds that hold their communities together dissolving. And whether it’s rebuilding intergenerational relationships, or helping those who come here from abroad to integrate, strengthening those bonds requires support and crucially funding from central government. But far from rebuilding our communities, this government’s reforms are going to make things worse.

“In particular, at a time when the care sector is already stretched to breaking point, and public support for people coming from overseas to work in our care sector is consistently strong, it’s wild that this government is ignoring public opinion and making it even harder to recruit badly-needed care staff.”