Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Britain should aim for net zero migration: Farage

The Reform party leader favours immigration of skilled workers in limited numbers and said the current level of migration is causing population explosion

Britain should aim for net zero migration: Farage

Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage has said that Britain should aim for net zero migration - it should allow up to 600,000 migrants a year as nearly that many people annually leave the country.

He said this after taking over as leader of the Reform party and announcing that he was standing for the general elections from Clacton, Essex.


He told BBC that skilled immigration would continue “in limited numbers” across a range of sectors, including care workers. He contrasted this with construction workers, where “we literally don’t need any” foreign workers.

The former Ukip and Brexit party leader pointed out that with 500,000 people leaving the UK every year there was “plenty of room” for overseas workers while bringing net migration towards zero.

Expressing concern over the current levels of migration, he said, “We cannot go on as we are, we have to limit numbers, our lives, our quality of life in this country is being diminished by the population explosion. If that means that in some sectors, there’d be shortages what that then means is that wages would go up and we’d start to encourage people to learn skills rather than heading off to university.”

Processing asylum seekers

Farage, however, tripped while spelling out his party’s plan to process asylum seekers.

The Reform party manifesto stated, “Asylum claims that arrive through safe countries will be processed rapidly offshore in British Overseas Territories. This will stop the scandal of undocumented asylum seekers absconding to work illegally or commit crimes.”

When pointed out that overseas territories include the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Farage admitted the idea was not 'terribly practical'.

When queried why it was on the party's website, he said, “Well I took over yesterday so give me more than 12 hours and I’ll sort a few things out.”

Decision to contest

Nigel Farage said he decided to stand for parliament out of a “terrible sense of guilt” that he was letting down his supporters.

He had earlier said he would sit out the election to concentrate on helping Donald Trump during his campaign in the US.

Farage said he changed his mind because he felt he was letting people down.

He told LBC that wherever he went people approached him and said they wanted him to contest the elections.

“I just got this terrible sense of guilt that I was letting them down and that I actually had to step up and do something”.

Farage's move is a major blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Conservative party.

Addressing a news conference he said, "We are going to be the voice of opposition, and I tell you what, I have done it before, I'll do it again, I'll surprise everybody."

He said it was a fait accompli that Labour would win but that he wanted to position Reform as its main opponent.

Farage said he would lead a "political revolt" in Britain because "nothing in this country works anymore", citing problems with public services such as healthcare and roads.

More For You

Police Recover £1M Stolen Jewellery in Hounslow, Owners Sought

The jewellery was largely taken from London’s South Asian community in Hounslow between 2023 and 2024. (Photo: Met Police)

Stolen jewellery worth £1m recovered in Hounslow, police seek owners

POLICE are seeking to reunite stolen jewellery worth over £1 million with its rightful owners after recovering the items during a proactive operation across London and the home counties.

The recovered collection includes identifiable pieces such as a World War One officer’s Rolex watch, a gold locket containing old pictures, an engraved gold ring, and an engraved gold pocket watch from Harlow Bros Ltd.

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

FILE PHOTO: Entrance of Manston short-term holding centre for migrants, near Ramsgate in southeast England. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Probe launched over racist broadcast at Kent asylum centre

AUTHORITIES have launched an investigation following reports that a racist message was broadcast over portable radios at an asylum processing centre in Kent.

The incident occurred at the Manston site, where small boat arrivals are processed by the Home Office and its contractor, Mitie, reported The Guardian.

Keep ReadingShow less
Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

Sri Lankan animal rights activists take part in a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2025, to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Narendra Modi. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Protest against dog crackdown ahead of Modi's Sri Lanka visit

SRI LANKAN animal rights activists marched on Thursday (3) to protest the round-up of stray dogs a day ahead of a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.

Authorities in Colombo and the Buddhist pilgrim city of Anuradhapura have reportedly deployed dog catchers to impound hounds ahead of Modi's visit, which begins on Friday (4).

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on February 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Explained: Impact of US tariffs on Indian exports

The United States has announced a 27 per cent reciprocal tariff on Indian goods entering the American market.

Industry experts have said these duties will pose challenges for Indian exports, though India's position remains more favourable than some of its competitors.

Keep ReadingShow less