Wes Streeting plans to increase high-skilled immigration if he becomes PM
Former health secretary Wes Streeting will propose a plan to boost high-skilled immigration to attract global talent, capitalizing on Trump's hostility towards scientists. He also wants to use tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gas fields to cut energy bills.
Wes Streeting, the former UK health secretary, is preparing to run for the Labour leadership to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His campaign will center on a proposal to increase high-skilled immigration. Streeting plans to announce a loosening of immigration restrictions to "attract the best and brightest minds from around the world" to Britain.
His aides said that as leader, he would introduce a global talent program with a target of recruiting 20,000 world-leading scientists, AI experts, and engineers over three years. The program would be based in No. 10 Downing Street with a budget of £250 million.
Streeting argues that the Trump administration is hostile to global science, and the UK should take advantage. "We should open our door to the best and the brightest. Trump is telling world-leading scientists, engineers, AI experts – you’re not welcome here. I would tell them: we’ll welcome you with open arms," he said. He also noted that voters who want lower migration levels are not opposed to inviting tomorrow's Nobel prize winners to make discoveries in Britain.
His second policy proposal involves the controversial issue of approving new oil and gas fields in the North Sea. Streeting will propose that tax revenues from fields like Jackdaw and Rosebank be hypothecated to fund initiatives that reduce energy bills and emissions, such as insulation, heat pumps, and electrification. He warned that opponents of drilling risk setting the wrong example, potentially allowing Nigel Farage to enter Downing Street and destroy the renewables industry.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is also expected to stand in the leadership race. He will contest the Makerfield by-election and plans to make public control of water and energy a central part of his agenda.
