Labour’s immigration shake-up challenges decades of party policy

Keir Starmer abandons idea foreign workers generate growth in favour of language reminiscent of Nigel Farage

• English test among range of Labour measures to control immigration

The publication of the 69-page white paper entitled Restoring Control Over the Immigration System on Monday marks a notable departure for Keir Starmer’s government as it attempts to combat Reform UK’s surge in the polls.

Its package of changes is meant to rebuild a link between the immigration system and the labour market, and to ensure that homegrown workers have enough skills so that overseas workers are not needed to fill posts.