Following anticipated results in this week’s local elections, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to unveil a strategy aimed at reducing legal immigration into the United Kingdom. The move comes as Labour anticipates increased support for Reform UK across the country.
The forthcoming policy document, expected before May 19th, will focus on addressing what’s perceived as a loophole allowing foreign students to enter the UK under graduate visas and subsequently secure employment in lower-paying sectors such as the gig economy or care work. A source within the Home Office stated, “We’ve made a really strong commitment that the Home Secretary wants to reduce net migration. We will use the immigration white paper as a tool for that.”
Labour strategists have identified curbing migration as a means of diverting support away from Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party. However, projections indicate Reform could significantly expand its influence, potentially securing numerous council seats, mayoralties, and winning in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election.
“Starmer’s party would ‘get its head kicked in’ by the surging Reform,” warned Lord Glasman, a Labour peer.
Furthermore, a senior figure within a major trade union revealed that “a sizeable” portion of their membership is likely to cast ballots for Reform candidates on May 1st.
Despite ongoing government promises to curtail both legal and illegal immigration, coastal communities are bracing for an influx of migrants arriving by small boat. Estimates suggest the number of irregular arrivals in Britain could exceed 10,000 before Monday’s end.
Labour Highlights NHS App Success
Separately, Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized Labour’s progress in modernizing the National Health Service (NHS), citing data showing a significant reduction in missed appointments thanks to reforms of the NHS app. The app is central to plans aimed at improving patient access and efficiency within the healthcare system.
According to NHS England figures, since the general election, the redesigned app has prevented 1.5 million appointments from being missed, freeing up an estimated 5.7 million hours of staff time and saving £622 million.
The Prime Minister echoed this sentiment, stating:
“Our NHS has been stuck in the dark ages held back by old-fashioned systems where patients are struggling for appointments and unable to access their own data… there’s no excuse for the lack of progress in the NHS we’ve inherited. NHS reform has to come through better use of tech.”
The government aims to expand the app’s usage, with plans to deliver an additional two million appointments by year-end and offer greater flexibility in how, where, and when individuals receive healthcare.
- Appointments Prevented: 1.5 million
- Staff Time Saved: 5.7 million hours
- Cost Savings: £622 million
