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Soft on immigration

UK ‘would need a new city the size of Birmingham every two years for migrants’ if we go for ‘soft’ Brexit

Reports released by lobbyists Migration Watch claims a 'soft' Brexit would lead to more than 100,000 immigrants arriving every year for years to come

Net immigration would continue to exceed 100,000 a year for at least a decade if Britain goes for a “soft” Brexit, a report warns today.

Two reports released by the Migration Watch think tank said a “soft” Brexit being pushed by Remainers would mean the UK remaining in the single market via the European Economic Area.

 If the UK was to remain in the single market via the European Economic Area then we would need to keep the borders open EU nationals
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If the UK was to remain in the single market via the European Economic Area then we would need to keep the borders open EU nationalsCredit: Getty Images

However this would require Britain to keep open its borders to EU nationals.

Migration Watch warns that this would be a “disastrous halfway house” because while Britain would be forced to comply with freedom of movement rules, we would have no power to influence them.

The UK would join Norway as a “fax democracy”.

It would require the city the size of Birmingham to be built every two years, the think tank warns.

Migration Watch boss Lord Green warned: “The prospect of having to build the equivalent of a city the size of Birmingham every two years is simply appalling in a country that already feels overcrowded.

 Migration Watch boss Lord Green
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Migration Watch boss Lord GreenCredit: Channel 4

“These negotiations come at a critical point at which the whole scale and nature of our society risks slipping out of control.

The government must hold their nerve and get EU immigration sharply down.”

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