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When we came into office � we immediately conducted an audit of public finances…�

And we found a £22 billion black hole. 

Now � the independent Office of National Statistics has conducted vital work on the state of immigration…�

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As the ONS sets out…�

Nearly one million people came to Britain in the year ending June 2023�

That is four times the migration levels compared with 2019. 

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But what we didn’t hear�

What the British people are owed…�

Is an explanation. 

Because a failure on this scale isn’t just bad luck…�

It isn’t a global trend…�

Or taking your eye off the ball. 

No � this a different order of failure. 

This happened by design, not accident.

Policies were reformed�

Deliberately �

To liberalise immigration. 

Brexit was used for that purpose�

To turn Britain into a one-nation experiment in open borders�

Global Britain � remember that slogan�

That is what they meant. 

A policy with no support…�

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Well that’s unforgivable. 

And mark my words � this government will turn the page. 

That begins in the economy…�

Because you cannot separate this failure…�

From their refusal to do the hard yards on skills�

On welfare reform�

On giving our young people opportunities…�

Rather than the easy answers of looking overseas. 

Because clearly � the vast majority of people who entered this country did so to plug gaps in our workforce.

Skills shortages across the country�

Which have left our economy hopelessly reliant on immigration�

2.8 million people out of work on long-term sickness � a problem ignored, left to fester. 

One in 8 young people not in employment or education or training.

Sectors of our economy, like engineering�

Where apprenticeships have almost halved in the last decade, while visas have doubled.

So we are taking a different approach. 

We will publish a White Paper imminently � which sets out a plan to reduce immigration. 

The Migration Advisory Committee is already conducting a review…�

And where we find clear evidence of sectors that are over reliant on immigration… �

We will reform the points-based system�

And make sure that applications for the relevant visa routes…�

Whether it’s the skilled worker route, or the shortage occupation list…�

Will now come with new expectations on training people here in our country. 

We will also crack down on any abuse of the visa routes�

For far too long, we’ve been casual about malpractice in our labour market…�

Which sends a clear signal, overseas…�

That we are soft touch. 

Well � no more. 

Our rules will be enforced.

Any employers who refuse to play ball…�

They will be banned from hiring overseas labour.  

And I’m pleased to announce today�

A new security agreement between Iraq and the UK…�

This is a world-first…�

That will help us smash the people smuggling gangs�

And secure our borders. 

The Home Secretary has been out in Iraq to seal this deal…�

And we’ve also announced funding for Iraqi law enforcement�

To tackle this problem up-stream�

Way before it reaches our shores. 

We’re also tackling the utter mess we inherited in the Home Office…�

Asylum returns � up 53% in the last 12 months compared with the previous year. 

Total returns � up 34% in the last year.

And we will keep on going. 

Because this is the work of change. 

And alongside the NHS and the economy�

Securing our borders is the issue that matters to working people.  

You know, what people want from politics � is not unreasonable�

They want order and security.

Borders that we control. 

An NHS that protects you. 

An economy that offers secure work and good opportunities. 

Not just for a few at the top, but for everyone.

Let me say directly to people watching�

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It won’t be quick or easy � but we are going to turn things around…�

Not with gimmicks, but with graft.

A government that will not rest�

Until the foundations are fixed�

Borders are secure�

And Britain is rebuilt.

Thank you.