Tory leadership race: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt reveal fresh pledges
Boris Johnson has promised to deliver an Australian-style points-based immigration system as Prime Minister if he wins the Tory leadership race.
Johnson vowed to be “tougher on those who abuse our hospitality” and restore the public’s trust in the UK’s immigration system.
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Meanwhile, Johnson’s rival in the Tory leadership race, Jeremy Hunt, pledged to scrap tuition fee debt for students who start their own companies and employ people.
He would also keep free TV licences for pensioners aged over 75 after the BBC opted to scrap them.
Immigration
Johnson said he wanted to “learn from” Australia’s poinst-based immigration system.
“We must be much more open to high-skilled immigration such as scientists, but we must also assure the public that, as we leave the EU, we have control over the number of unskilled immigrants coming into the country,” he said.
“We must be tougher on those who abuse our hospitality. Other countries such as Australia have great systems and we should learn from them.”
Factors would include job offers prior to arrival, the ability to speak English, and stopping immigrants from immediately being eligible to claim benefits.
He also said he would move quickly to secure the rights of the 3m EU nationals living in the UK even in a no-deal Brexit if he wins the Tory leadership race.
The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Bill is currently at report stage in parliament.
It includes a measure to stop the existing automatic preference for EU citizens.
Tuition fee debt
Hunt pledged to end student fee debts for startup founders who employ more than 10 people for five years.
“If we are to turbocharge our economy and take advantage of Brexit, we need to back the young entrepreneurs who take risks and create jobs,” he said.
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“I want more young people to have the confidence to take the decision to start their own business, so we create wealth and start thriving as a country again.”
He added that the Tories should keep their 2017 election pledge to continue offering TV licences free for over-75s.
The Tory leadership race is set to end on 23 July, when the Conservative party will name the next Prime Minister.