Comment: To stay on target, Starmer needs to decide where he’s aiming
The prime minister’s inheritance from the Conservatives on immigration numbers is a political gift – but a potential trap too, writes Sunder Katwala
Prime minister Keir Starmer (Photo: Getty Images)
By Sunder KatwalaDec 02, 2024
Targets are prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s theme of this week. His ‘plan for government’ will set out the measurable milestones that Labour intends to deliver.
Targets do different things in government and politics. They signal priorities to the public and the government machine. They can drive progress – or distort systems if badly designed. Governments tend to overestimate the public impact of statistical updates. Feelings often shape perceptions more than facts. But nothing draws quite so much attention to a government target as a spectacular failure to hit it.
How many voters could recall even three of Rishi Sunak’s five key pledges two years ago? His only memorable pledge – “Stop the boats” – was patently undeliverable. It was the latest chapter in a litany of failed immigration targets.
For a decade, the Conservatives promised to reduce net migration to the “tens of thousands”. Boris Johnson ditched this target, which was always missed, on his first day as prime minister – seeing that “numbers game” as a trap. He then forgot his own advice, committing (albeit reluctantly) in his election manifesto to cut numbers from their 2019 level, yet giving that promise no weight in deciding post-Brexit policy. Net migration tripled.
The Office of National Statistics reports a final score for the last government of 728,000 in the 12 months before the general election, revising the peak of the year before up to 900,000. That record presented an open goal to Starmer. He could have made that about trust – promising one thing and doing the opposite – or incompetence, after pledges to ‘take back control’.
In escalating the charge to Brexit being used for “a one-nation experiment in open borders,” the prime minister echoed the hyperbole of defeated Tory leadership candidate Robert Jenrick, who claimed his own party “replaced freedom of movement with Europe with a system so liberal it amounted to freedom of movement with the rest of the world". Starmer’s aides wanted to throw a jibe - that the Conservatives often chuck at Labour - right back at them. He can legitimately make net migration peaking at 900,000 a recurring theme in the Prime Minister’s Questions knockabout.
Sunak's only memorable pledge – “Stop the boats” – was patently undeliverable
Taking his own “open borders” hyperbole seriously would misdiagnose both his inheritance and his future challenge. In truth, the rules for EU workers were more restrictive, while non-EU visas were liberalised. In opposition, Starmer’s Labour supported each of Johnson’s liberal measures, championing the Ukraine and Hong Kong visa schemes, the return of post-study work visas for overseas graduates, while critiquing the lack of effort on domestic training.
But Starmer could not have inherited a massive asylum backlog from an ‘open borders’ policy. Rather, that is the chaotic consequence of a fantasy plan to declare Britain closed to asylum seekers – without any real-world plan for tens of thousands stuck in limbo. The prime minister’s inheritance from the Conservatives on immigration numbers is a political gift – but a potential trap too.
Starmer will exceed expectations on overall immigration numbers, provided he does not now generate new expectations that he would struggle to meet. Only 12 per cent expect the numbers to fall in 12 months and 50 per cent think they will rise further. Yet sharp drops in the number of visas issued means net migration in the second half of this year is running at about half the peak level, as next spring’s statistics will confirm. Yet lower numbers may not be noticed if Channel crossings – 40,000 people compared with 1.25 million visas – remain visibly uncontrolled.
What happens after the numbers halve? Is Starmer committed to an auction where he competes with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform’s Nigel Farage over who can say the lowest number? This Labour government does not believe net migration targets work. They made no difference in the past. They do not differentiate over what helps or hinders growth. The government knows how many visas it has issued – but does not control emigration. That the Office for National Statistics (ONS) so dramatically revised the net migration statistics for 2022 and 2023 shows how difficult it is to target this number as the main policy goal.
Sunder Katwala
The government has no crystal ball of economic and geopolitical conditions to guess the right immigration level in four years’ time. So the government’s white paper should introduce a new approach to democratic control of immigration. Labour should commit to an annual immigration plan in the Commons – analogous to how the Budget decides tax and spending plans. When politicians propose budgetary changes, they are asked how they would pay for them. That rarely happens with proposals about immigration numbers.
A more structured process of engagement could take the policy choices more seriously – with more scrutiny of how the impacts of immigration are managed too. Politicians who want to keep their promises should not make promises they cannot keep. They can choose their targets. Accountability matters if those pledges are to be more meaningful than mere soundbites and slogans in future.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding celebrations kick off in Venice with around 200 high-profile guests.
Celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, the Kardashians, Oprah, and Bill Gates have arrived.
The three-day celebration is expected to cost £43–51 million (₹427–506 crore).
Venice locals protest the event, accusing the billionaire couple of turning the city into a playground for the elite.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and media personality Lauren Sánchez have begun their lavish wedding festivities in Venice, Italy, drawing a guest list that reads like the Oscars after-party. The ultra-exclusive, multi-day affair has transformed the floating city into a buzzing hub of private yachts, paparazzi, and tight security.
The couple, who have been engaged since 2023, arrived earlier this week and are hosting a welcome event ahead of their expected Friday wedding ceremony. The celebrations are reportedly set across Venice’s most luxurious venues, with the final reception on Saturday.
Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos leave the Aman Hotel in Venice ahead of their wedding Getty Images
Celebrities, billionaires, royals: a who’s who of wedding guests
Familiar faces are pouring into Venice. Kim Kardashian made a headline-grabbing entrance at Marco Polo Airport, followed by sisters Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie Jenner, along with matriarch Kris Jenner. Oprah Winfrey, joined by Gayle King, arrived in a summery outfit and was spotted greeting fans as she left her hotel. Leonardo DiCaprio tried to go unnoticed in a baseball cap but was quickly recognised by photographers.
Kardashians seen boarding a boat ahead of the evening celebrations in VeniceGetty Images
Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Tom Brady, Karlie Kloss, Orlando Bloom, and even royalty like Queen Rania of Jordan were seen making their way to the festivities. Guests are staying in top-tier hotels like the Gritti Palace and Aman, where rooms overlook the Grand Canal.
Oprah Winfrey wave to fans while heading to the welcome event Getty Images
Venice residents push back against the mega-event
While the city is buzzing with glamour, not everyone is celebrating. Local activists have criticised the event for highlighting the growing gap between Venice’s global appeal and its local struggles. A protester scaled a flagpole in St Mark’s Square, unveiling a banner reading, “The 1 per cent ruins the world,” targeting the excessive nature of the celebration.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez gesture in direction of Bezos' lookalike from the taxi boatGetty Images
The wedding, estimated to cost between £43–51 million (₹427–506 crore), may not dent Bezos’s £182 billion (₹18.1 lakh crore) fortune, but it has sparked debates about overtourism and inequality in one of Europe’s most fragile heritage cities.
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Brad Pitt attends the world premiere of F1 at Times Square in New York
Brad Pitt’s Los Feliz home in LA was broken into late Wednesday night.
Three intruders reportedly entered through a window and ransacked the property.
Pitt was in London for the F1 film premiere alongside Tom Cruise and Lewis Hamilton.
LAPD confirmed a burglary but has not disclosed what was stolen.
Brad Pitt’s Los Angeles home was burgled late Wednesday night while the actor was overseas promoting his new film F1. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, three individuals broke into the residence located in the Los Feliz area around 10:30 pm by entering through a front window.
Brad Pitt at the F1 premiere in London before the burglary was reported Getty Images
Brad Pitt’s LA home targeted in late-night break-in
The LAPD described the scene as having been “ransacked,” though they have not revealed the nature or value of the stolen items. Pitt was not home during the incident, as he was attending the London premiere of F1, accompanied by co-star Tom Cruise and Formula One legend Lewis Hamilton.
The property, which Pitt purchased in 2023 for a reported £4.3 million (₹45.6 crore), is a three-bedroom house tucked near Griffith Park, surrounded by thick foliage and fencing for privacy. Though authorities initially withheld the homeowner’s name, the address matches records linked to the Oscar-winning actor.
Brad Pitt walks in the Paddock after qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand PrixGetty Images
LAPD investigates celebrity burglary as theft details remain unclear
While police are continuing their investigation, no arrests have been made yet. Officials have yet to confirm exactly what was taken during the burglary or the estimated worth of the stolen items. Pitt’s representatives have not issued any statement on the matter so far.
This incident adds to a growing list of high-profile burglaries in the area. Over recent months, other celebrity homes, including those of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, have been targeted in similar break-ins.
Brad Pitt attends the "Wolfs" red carpet during the 81st Venice International Film Festival Getty Images
Incident follows stalking case at Jennifer Aniston’s home
The break-in at Pitt’s residence comes weeks after a man was arrested for driving his car into the front gate of Jennifer Aniston’s Bel-Air home. The intruder, charged with stalking and vandalism, breached her property while she was present. Fortunately, no harm was reported, and her security team quickly intervened.
As the LAPD looks into the latest break-in, concerns about the safety of celebrity homes in Los Angeles continue to rise. Pitt, meanwhile, remains focused on promoting F1, which released globally this week.
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Kajol reveals why her marriage with Ajay Devgn has lasted 26 years
Kajol says she and Ajay Devgn have stayed married because they are total opposites.
The actress shared her candid take on marriage in a recent interview.
She joked that “partial deafness and selective amnesia” are key to a happy relationship.
The couple prioritise family time over romantic date nights due to hectic schedules.
Kajol has opened up about her 26-year marriage to actor Ajay Devgn, revealing that their starkly different personalities and a good dose of humour have helped them last this long. Speaking in a new interview, she said their bond works because they don’t force romance and instead lean into their differences with honesty and patience.
In her latest interview, Kajol reflected on the real reason her marriage with Ajay Devgn has endured over two decades. “Ajay and I are completely different people. If we were the same, we probably wouldn’t have lasted this long,” she admitted. Known for being outgoing, Kajol contrasted Ajay’s famously reserved nature and said the mismatch has actually worked in their favour.
She also offered an unfiltered tip for married couples: “The secret is partial deafness and selective amnesia. You have to forget certain things, and sometimes pretend you didn’t hear something they said.”
Kajol shares her take on marriage in a new interview Getty Images
No fancy date nights, just time at home
Addressing the idea of keeping romance alive, Kajol said they don’t believe in planning extravagant date nights. “We don’t do all that. We hardly get time together, so when we do, we spend it at home with family,” she said. Both actors have busy schedules, often filming or travelling, so their priority is quiet time with their children, Nysa and Yug, whenever possible.
Kajol says they skip date nights and focus on family timeGetty Images
Reflecting on her husband’s intense work ethic, she added with a laugh, “Sometimes I’m glad he’s away shooting for 40 days. Other times, I wish he was home.” Her comments, in fact, offer a refreshing and realistic glimpse into the life of one of Bollywood’s most enduring couples, one built not on perfection but understanding.
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Xiaomi’s SU7 has already outsold Tesla’s Model 3 in China
Xiaomi’s new YU7 SUV secures 289,000 orders within the first hour
Demand exceeds expectations and beats the previous SU7 launch
Analysts predict Tesla may lose more market share in China
Tesla could be forced to cut prices or offer more incentives to stay competitive
Xiaomi’s YU7 SUV triggers record-breaking demand
Xiaomi’s second electric vehicle, the YU7 SUV, received a staggering 289,000 orders within just one hour of launch, sending the company’s share price to a record high and intensifying competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market.
The YU7’s initial demand was nearly three times higher than that of the SU7 sedan, launched in March 2024, and significantly exceeded market expectations of around 100,000 orders. Priced from 253,500 yuan (approximately £28,000), the YU7 undercuts Tesla’s Model Y by nearly 4% while offering superior performance, according to analysts.
Tesla’s market share under renewed threat
Tesla, which currently sells China’s best-selling SUV, the Model Y, may face increasing pressure from local rivals such as Xiaomi. Analysts say the surge in YU7 orders is a clear sign that Tesla’s dominance in the Chinese EV market is eroding.
The US-based automaker’s share of China’s EV market has dropped steadily from 15% in 2020 to 10% in 2024, and to 7.6% in the first months of 2025.
Tesla has not yet commented on the situationReuters
Xiaomi’s SU7 has already outsold Tesla’s Model 3 in China on a monthly basis since December. With the YU7’s competitive pricing and specifications, analysts at Jefferies believe it could accelerate Tesla’s market share decline.
Possible Tesla response
Citi analysts suggested that Tesla may be forced to reduce prices again, offer its Full Self-Driving software at no extra cost, or provide more financing incentives to maintain its position in the Chinese market. Tesla has not yet commented on the situation.
Market reaction
Xiaomi’s shares rose 8% in early trading on Friday, reaching an all-time high before settling at a 3% gain. The company’s stock has climbed over 70% so far in 2025, making it the best-performing large-cap stock in the Asia-Pacific region, according to LSEG data.
The sharp increase in valuation brings Xiaomi’s market cap to nearly $200 billion, solidifying its position as a major new player in the EV industry.
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Scottish-Pakistani theatre-maker Lubna Kerr returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with 'Lunchbox'
Acclaimed Scottish-Pakistani theatre-maker Lubna Kerr returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Lunchbox – the final instalment of her deeply personal and widely praised ‘BOX’ trilogy, following Tickbox and Chatterbox.
Inspired by her own upbringing as a Pakistani immigrant girl in Glasgow, Lunchbox is a powerful one-woman show that tackles themes of identity, race, bullying and belonging through the eyes of two teenagers growing up on the same street but living vastly different lives. With humour, honesty and heart, Kerr brings multiple characters to life, including her younger self and a troubled classmate, as she explores whether we are shaped by our environment or capable of breaking the cycle.
Ahead of the show’s run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, she speaks to Eastern Eye about her creative journey, the inspiration behind the trilogy and why she believes now is the time to share these stories.
Lunchbox is a powerful one-woman show that tackles themes of identity, race, bullying and belongingInstagram/ lubnakerr
How do you reflect on your creative journey?
When I started writing my first play Tickbox, I doubted myself – would anyone come to see it? But it has since been staged all over the UK and is still touring. I have come so far in my creative journey and love being able to find new stories to tell the world.
How much are you looking forward to returning to the Edinburgh Fringe? I love the Fringe. It is my favourite part of the year.
Tell us about your new show. Lunchbox is a one-woman show and is the final part of the ‘BOX’ trilogy of my life as a Pakistani immigrant girl growing up in Glasgow. There are eight characters – some familiar and some new.
How does this compare to your other shows Tickbox and Chatterbox?
It is similar but different. It explores the next stage of my school life, but this time through the eyes of the bully, Steven.
How have you felt going on a journey with this unique trilogy?
It was never meant to be a trilogy when I first started writing, but as the stories came out, I realised I had so much to share that I could not do it all in one play.
What is the biggest challenge of doing a solo show?
Keeping well and pacing your energy. There is no understudy, so I need to make sure I get enough rest and can be fresh for my shows every day.
She says, ''do not assume you know what is going on in people’s lives behind closed doors''Instagram/ lubnakerr
Who are you hoping to reach with this show?
Those who were bullied, those who stood by and did nothing, and those who were the bullies.
Is there a key message you want to convey with this show?
Do not assume you know what is going on in people’s lives behind closed doors. I want audiences to think about who they wrote off in life. Who could they have given a hand to? Whose life did they assume was a waste? Who will they be clapping for? Have they forgiven their bully?
What do you most love about live theatre?
I love performing and sharing unheard or untold stories about the diaspora. We have such a rich culture and heritage, and we need our voices to be heard. Theatre is the vehicle to do this.
How do you feel when you are on stage?
I love being on stage, whether performing a play or doing comedy. I love feeling connected to the audience – having them hold onto my every word and fall into a trance with my characters, helping them forget their worries for an hour.
Why should we all come and watch your new show Lunchbox?
Lunchbox has a universal theme of bullying and discrimination, but it is told by an older south Asian woman. How many of us are out there doing this? I want to inspire anyone of any age to come and share their stories on stage, and let the world know that we are more than just curries and cricket (though I do love both).