Proposal for meeting UK government immigration targets

Prime Minister David Cameron's high profile stance on immigration has been to reduce it to the "tens of thousands instead of the hundreds of thousands". Since this announcement, the government has struggled to bring net migration to below 100,000- with figures consistently showing twice this amount. The rise of UKIP has shown that immigration is one of the fundamental concerns of British voters, and will be a key issue at next year's election.

In addition to the current points-based system employed by the government, I would also propose an overall cap of 100,000. What has consistently complicated this debate is that restrictions cannot be placed on migrants from the EU, given that the freedom of movement is a key principle of the organisation (along with the free movement of goods, capital, etc.). In response, I would not propose leaving the EU as UKIP do, but instead adjust the amount of Non-EU migrants permitted to enter the UK- taking into account anticipated migration from EU member states. For example, if 30% of migrants to the UK were from the EU in 2014, to allow for a similar influx the following year, the amount of migrants permitted to enter the UK from outside of the EU should be capped at 70,000 (at allow for an estimated 30,000 EU migrants).

In addition, besides the impact of sheer numbers of immigrants on the UK (concerning housing, public services, jobs, etc.) another reason that this attracts so much attention is because of concern over the success of integration of migrants into the UK. Besides the obligation of fluent use of the English language on migrants (whether to be able to do so in advance of moving to this country, or through compulsory studies and qualifications in English- funded through a student loan), I feel that this can be assisted by prioritising migrants from certain countries. Firstly, due to the cultural similarities (from the English language, to sport, food, religion, and so on) half of non-EU migrant places in the UK should be prioritised to those from Commonwealth countries. This should ease integration, while also demonstrating in deeds (not just words) the value the UK still places on the Commonwealth. Secondly, again due to cultural similarities and historically close bonds, a quarter of migrant should similarly be prioritised to potential migrants from the USA. The remaining quarter would be available for the remaining countries from around the world.

Such caps and prioritisation would control immigration in accordance with public concerns, ease integration of migrants within British society, and cement the three most-valued international relationships for the UK: with the European Union, the Commonwealth, and the "Special Relationship" with the USA.