Amber Rudd is a moderate but we need more than warm(ish) words on immigration
Amid all Brexit uncertainty the silver bullet that could reassure business is easy access to global talent.
This is not incompatible with a strong independent immigration policy, but at present the government has not set out its vision for post-Brexit immigration. Instead that void is filled with the noise generated by the Windrush scandal and the associated notion that the Home Office is a shambles and Theresa May doesn’t like immigration. Both of these perceptions must be confronted and rebuffed by ministers.
Unfortunately, May’s track record suggests she has a blindspot when it comes to the matter, and current events bear that out.
Read more: Report calls for radical new immigration system post-Brexit
The “hostile environment” may not have been of their creation, but home secretary Amber Rudd admitted that under the Conservatives it has “expanded”. Yesterday she told journalists she didn’t like the phrase – something which May has not herself done – and wouldn’t be using it. That’s not the only change she pledged to make at her department. People will come before processes, removal targets will be shelved and the Home Office will begin working cross-departmentally on immigration cases. The besieged minister is promising to “lean in” and put the individual first.
Rudd has hinted that she may review the net migration target of 100,000. It is, however a manifesto commitment. The best she can do for now is to ensure it is “fair and supports businesses”.
Forced onto the back-foot, Rudd is navigating a few tricky courses. Clearly she is not going to throw her predecessor – and boss – under a bus, but at the same time it’s apparent that she differs with her on many key points. Although she has been careful to word it in a such a way as to avoid charges of disloyalty, she is clearly more moderate on this matter than the Prime Minister.
Read more: Rudd tackles Windrush by waiving fees, tests and shifting burden of proof
But warm(ish) words are not enough. She has a huge opportunity in the form of the Immigration Bill – when it is finally brought forward – to create an environment that allows businesses to hire whoever they deem best for the job while imposing sensible border controls. Fussing about arbitrary numbers might have seemed important when Ukip were a threat, but after Brexit the bigger issue is ensuring Britain is able to attract and retain talent not just from the EU, but from around the world.
Assuming by then the hostile environment hasn’t driven them elsewhere.