Cabinet minister Pat McFadden was pressed on why the PM did not make migration one of his six “milestones”.
A Labour minister was grilled on why migration is not one of Sir Keir Starmer‘s “milestones”.
The Prime Minister set out six targets for the public to measure his government against at the next election as part of a 43-page “plan for change” last week.
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden was asked by hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley why migration was not one of the “milestones” during an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
He said: “It’s on page 18 and 19 of the plan. It’s also on one of the first few pages as well.
“The history of attaching a precise number is not a very happy one in the UK, is it?
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden (Image: GMB)
“This is what the Tories did, they told people they’d get net migration down to the tens of thousands and we ended up with net migration almost ten times more than that.”
Asked how migration would be measured if there was not a target, the Cabinet minister added: “The actual number will always ebb and flow depending on the needs of your economy.
“And by the way I want to say to people who have come and worked hard here that they’re important to the economy, they are important to society.
“But the actual numbers here will depend on the ebb and flow of your economic needs.
“And alongside migration of course you’ve got to do more to train your own people to do the jobs.”
Higher living standards, clean power by 2030, cutting NHS waiting lists, building 1.5 million homes, putting more police on the beat, and making sure three-quarters of five-year-olds are school ready were listed as six “milestones” by the PM.
He has insisted that migration is covered by one of his three “foundations” which is on secure borders.
Sir Keir’s plan was branded an “emergency reset” by the Tories just five months into his premiership amid plumetting poll ratings.
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