UK: Labour leader says country must stop dependence on 'cheap labor'

The leader of the United Kingdom’s opposition Labour Party Keir Starmer, said the country must stop depending on “cheap labor.” Starmer’s remarks would be in line with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s stance against relaxed immigration policies.

In his remarks to the Confederation of British Industry Conference in Birmingham Tuesday, Starmer told business leaders that the “days of low pay and cheap labor” must end. Starmer doubled down by telling business leaders that a Labor government would work with businesses to “help the British economy off its immigration dependency.”

“Migration is part of our national story – always has been, always will be. And the Labor Party will never diminish the contribution it makes to the economy, to public services, to your businesses, and to our communities,” said Starmer. “But let me tell you, the days when low pay and cheap labor are part of the British way on growth must end.”

Starmer also said that he wanted a “new partnership” with business, a partnership in which Labor would be “pragmatic” on employee shortage by not ignoring the need for skilled workers to come to the UK. Starmer said he would ask businesses to have plans for more training, better wages and conditions, and the investment in new technology.

“But our common goal must be to help the British economy off its immigration dependency,” said Starmer.

The opposition leader has repeatedly said that his party, if it forms a government at the next election, will not support open borders to immigration. A Labor government, as Starmer has said, would propose a points-based system, which is a policy that has essentially been adopted by the governing Conservative Party.

Meanwhile, the government has delayed a vote on housing legislation after dozens of Conservative lawmakers signalled that they want to change parts of the bill. A government source said Tuesday that the vote, which was initially scheduled for Monday, on the Leveling Up and Regeneration Bill would no longer continue, and the date has yet to be determined.

47 Conservative lawmakers have expressed opposition toward the bill by filing an amendment. The lawmakers want to end the provision of ending mandatory housebuilding targets for local authorities.