HISG IMMIGRATION WHITE PAPER STATEMENT 2025

Starmer’s ‘Take Back Control’ ‘Island of Strangers’ speech is a dangerous turn to anti-migrant scapegoating, blaming those fleeing war, poverty, and persecution for the UK’s economic failures. His Immigration White Paper promotes division while ignoring the historic role Britain played, and the role it continues to play, in destabilising the very nations people are now forced to flee.

Migrants are not the problem — austerity, corporate impunity, and decades of
underinvestment are. Starmer’s plans risk further damage to the health, care, and education sectors through a shortage of skilled workers, by adding five years of insecurity for those entitled to settlement, and imposing higher visa fees on international students who contribute over £10.7 billion annually to our economy.

In January this year, HISG brought the End the Hostile Environment motion, passed in Hackney Council with unanimous support. This is the type of leadership we promote and we will continue to stand up for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in our borough and beyond.

If Keir Starmer and his Labour Government really cared, they would introduce bold and achievable measures that can generate much-needed revenue for our economy, like bringing a small 2% tax on individuals with wealth of over £10 million, generating £24 billion annually, and putting every effort into recovering the estimated yearly £12 billion in unpaid Corporation Tax.

These initiatives alone would generate at least £36 billion a year that could instantly lift millions out of poverty, fund the NHS, give access to free higher education, build the homes we need, and reverse Labour’s inhumane, shameful cuts on Welfare Benefits, PIP, Winter Fuel Payments and the Two Child Benefit Cap among others.

Migrants create jobs, work in vital sectors like health, care, construction and hospitality, and pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits. Migrants are part of the backbone of this economy.

Say it loud, say it clear: migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are welcome here!