Labour: We made mistakes on immigration but now we're getting tough

MIGRANTS from the European Union won’t be able to claim out-of-work benefits for two years under new plans unveiled by Labour.

Yvette Cooper speaking at a supporter's eventGETTY

Yvette Cooper said Labour was pushing for fair movement not free

The party has outlined a tough new stance on immigration as it sets out its general election battle against Ukip and the Conservatives.

The party also took a stab David Cameron’s bullish European Union stance, adding it would negotiate “in the right way” rather than try to bulldoze through Brussels.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves wants to extend the qualifying period for out of work benefits for EU migrants from three months. She also wants to ban child benefit and tax credits for families living abroad.

In a speech today, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper also admitted the party had made mistakes while in government and "most people" did not think immigration rules were "fair".

She said: “The system isn't distinguishing between different kinds of migration - the migration we need and the migration that causes problems.

"The impact of migration is unfair, with local workers on low income losing out.

"Low-skilled migrant labour is being exploited to undercut local wages and jobs - at a time when those on low income already feel left behind and buffeted by the whirlwinds of globalisation.

Labour doesn't want all migrants to be treated the sameAFP/GETTY

Labour doesn't want all migrants to be treated the same

Rachel ReevesPA

Rachel Reeves wants to tighten benefits rules for EU migrants

Change is possible, if we negotiate in the right way rather than the megaphone diplomacy the Prime Minister has been pursuing

Yvette Cooper

"Communities with high levels of migration are experiencing pressure on public services - at a time when budgets are being cut."

She said while the Tories wanted to reduce migration to below 100,000 a year, Labour wanted to work smarter by looking to reduce certain types of migrants.

The party would look to encourage foreign students to Britain to boost the current £10 billion economic benefit. But she admitted temporary student visas were being abused.

She said: "We need smarter controls and targets to distinguish between different kinds of immigration in place of the Government's single net migration target which isn't working and wrongly treats all migration as the same," she said.

"We need much stronger transitional controls when new countries join the European Union. And we will keep the cap on skilled workers.”

Yvette Cooper speaking todayGETTY

Yvette Cooper also said Labour would fund 1,000 more border control workers

"It is frankly immoral to include refugees in a net migration target that the Government is trying to get down."

Mrs Cooper said Labour would be pushing for "fair movement, not free movement". 

She outlined a proposal which would employ another 1,000 border guards - by  levying a £10 charge on visa waivers for arrivals from countries such as the US.

She also suggested that EU integration funds could be used more widely to ease the problems immigration caused for communities.

She added: "There are genuine problems over the way immigration works and it is pro-European to argue for sensible reforms.

"Change is possible, if we negotiate in the right way rather than the megaphone diplomacy the Prime Minister has been pursuing that seems designed instead to drive us towards the exit door."

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