Starmer says Labour will reduce dependence on immigration - but refuses to commit to cut in numbers

Sir Keir Starmer today told business leaders he wanted to wean Britain off its 'immigration dependency' - although the Labour leader refused to state whether he wanted overall numbers to fall. In a speech to the Confederation of British Industry's conference in Birmingham, Sir Keir vowed 'low pay and cheap labour' as a model to achieve economic growth 'must end'. Sir Keir's speech to the CBI also threatened a fresh rift with Labour's left-wing, with former leader Jeremy Corbyn swiping at his successor for 'belittling migrants’ contribution'. In a speech to the CBI conference, Sir Keir Starmer vowed 'low pay and cheap labour' as a model to achieve economic growth 'must end' The Labour leader called on British businesses to invest more in workers who are already in the country, at a time when many firms are facing crippling staff shortages But, asked if he thought immigration levels were currently too high and if Labour would aim to reduce net migration to the UK, Sir Keir insisted he would not focus on 'arbitrary numbers' The Labour leader's address to the Birmingham conference came the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had made his own pitch to British business leaders. Sir Keir's speech to the CBI also threatened a fresh rift with Labour's left-wing, with former leader Jeremy Corbyn swiping at his successor for 'belittling migrants’ contribution' In a swipe at Sir Keir's promise to 'end' Britain's reliance on low-paid immigration, Mr Corbyn challenged his successor to commit to a £15 an hour minimum wage.