Plans to reduce legal immigration are set to be unveiled within weeks as Sir Keir Starmer attempts to win over Reform UK voters ahead of local elections in May.
The immigration white paper is expected to be published in late March or early April, a Government source told The i Paper.
The timing would allow the Prime Minister to show fresh action on migration ahead of the elections in May which, unless recent gains in polling are reversed, are likely to see gains for Nigel Farage’s Reform.
In November, revised official figures showed net migration to the UK hit a record 906,000 in 2023, and was 728,000 for the year to June 2024.
Among the proposals included in the white paper will be moves to reduce legal immigration, including by linking migration to skills and ensuring more British workers are trained to fill jobs commonly recruited from abroad.
The document is also expected to take into account a Migration Advisory Committee review ordered by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to limit overseas hiring by technology and engineering firms.
It comes as the Government prepares to publish videos and images on Monday revealing illegal immigrants being deported from the UK, from being detained in raids to boarding removal flights.
The move is being seen as a bid to take the fight to Reform, which last week topped a YouGov opinion poll for the first time on 25 points, above Labour on 24 and the Tories on 21.
But it is being met with a backlash from Labour MPs on the left of the party, who warn that the “stunt” will only boost Farage’s party as well as “scapegoat” trafficking victims.
Government insiders insist the decision to publish the videos and images is not designed primarily to tackle Reform, but instead to show sceptical voters that ministers are delivering on their concerns.
It comes after targeted adverts in the north-west of England highlighting the claim Labour has increased deportations by 23 per cent were met with disbelief by voters.
Insiders are expecting Kemi Badenoch’s Conservatives to suffer more than Labour at the hands of Reform at May’s local election, although polls in 2026 could prove more tricky for Starmer’s party.
Labour MPs on the left of the party criticised the move.
Rachael Maskell said: “While it is right for Labour to target the criminal activity behind the trafficking of people, it is wrong to scapegoat their victims.
“When it comes to assessing the entry routes by which people can come to the UK, people want to know that it is fair, however I cannot see any justification in releasing videos or images of people who are being returned to their home country, other than to stigmatising others.
“Government should just get on with the business of good governance and ensure that it is transparent, just and upholding international law and people’s human rights.”
Another Labour MP, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “All the Government will achieve with this stunt is to further legitimise Reform.
“If people are persuaded that immigration is the principal problem facing the UK then they will vote for the real thing – racists – not Labour’s pallid copycat approach.”
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