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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Migrant numbers 'must be reduced' | Migrant numbers 'must be reduced' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of migrants allowed into the UK under the points system may have to be reduced because of the economic crisis, an immigration minister says. | The number of migrants allowed into the UK under the points system may have to be reduced because of the economic crisis, an immigration minister says. |
| Phil Woolas told the Times immigration became an "extremely thorny" subject when people were losing their jobs. | Phil Woolas told the Times immigration became an "extremely thorny" subject when people were losing their jobs. |
| "It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder," he said. | "It's been too easy to get into this country in the past and it's going to get harder," he said. |
| The Home Office said the current points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls". | The Home Office said the current points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls". |
| The government has recently introduced the points-based system to attract migrants from outside the EU judged to be most valuable to the economy. | The government has recently introduced the points-based system to attract migrants from outside the EU judged to be most valuable to the economy. |
| There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving Phil WoolasImmigration Minister How points work | There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving Phil WoolasImmigration Minister How points work |
| But Mr Woolas, the new immigration minister, said: "If people are being made unemployed, the question of immigration becomes extremely thorny." | |
| "This government isn't going to allow the population to go up to 70 million," he continued. | "This government isn't going to allow the population to go up to 70 million," he continued. |
| "There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving." | "There has to be a balance between the number of people coming in and the number of people leaving." |
| Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the population grew by nearly two million to 60,975,000 people between 2001 and 2007. | Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the population grew by nearly two million to 60,975,000 people between 2001 and 2007. |
| BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins said it was significant Mr Woolas had quoted 70 million as an upper limit for the UK population. | |
| The government had, before now, fought shy of setting a "population policy" because it was difficult for ministers to explain how it would be managed, he said. | The government had, before now, fought shy of setting a "population policy" because it was difficult for ministers to explain how it would be managed, he said. |
| Our correspondent explained this was because immigration from inside the EU could not be controlled, neither could a limit be placed on genuine claims for asylum. | Our correspondent explained this was because immigration from inside the EU could not be controlled, neither could a limit be placed on genuine claims for asylum. |
| This meant there would be "all sorts of questions raised" about how the government was going to achieve its aim, he added. | This meant there would be "all sorts of questions raised" about how the government was going to achieve its aim, he added. |
| 'Turning point' | 'Turning point' |
| Former Labour minister Frank Field, who is a member of a cross-party group on immigration, welcomed the government's change of emphasis. | |
| He told the BBC's Today programme it may have been argued when the economy was enjoying a boom, that there was a "case for an open immigration policy" although he did not accept that. | |
| But he said: "When we're moving into a recession, the length of which we do not yet know, the immigration policy suitable for a boom is totally unsuitable for a recession." | |
| He said the key was to "break the link" between people coming to the UK to work and them getting citizenship, which increased the population. | |
| This is what's going to come across as 'We don't want migrant workers' Keith BestImmigration Advisory Service | |
| Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, which argues for balanced migration, told BBC Five Live Mr Woolas's remarks showed a significant development in the immigration debate. | |
| "I think this could be a significant turning point. I think the economic crisis has shown up the weakness of uncontrolled immigration. | "I think this could be a significant turning point. I think the economic crisis has shown up the weakness of uncontrolled immigration. |
| "This is the very first time that a government minister has recognised the link between immigration and population. The government have been in denial about that for years." | "This is the very first time that a government minister has recognised the link between immigration and population. The government have been in denial about that for years." |
| But the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz, told the Times he would be "astonished" at a Labour immigration minister "in effect changing the policy". | But the chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Keith Vaz, told the Times he would be "astonished" at a Labour immigration minister "in effect changing the policy". |
| The Labour MP added: "His predecessor and the home secretary have made it very clear they do not support a quota." | The Labour MP added: "His predecessor and the home secretary have made it very clear they do not support a quota." |
| And Keith Best, chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, told the Today programme there was a danger Mr Woolas's comments could be misinterpreted. | |
| "This is what's going to come across as 'We don't want migrant workers'." | |
| An economic downturn would mean fewer people would be attracted to the UK for work anyway, he said, but added some skills shortages would still exist even in recession. | |
| Immigration controls | Immigration controls |
| A Home Office spokesman said the government's points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls". | A Home Office spokesman said the government's points-based system provided "a powerful and flexible set of controls". |
| These allow the government "to raise or lower the bar according to the needs of business and the country as a whole". | These allow the government "to raise or lower the bar according to the needs of business and the country as a whole". |
| He added: "Our tough new Australian points system, plus our plans for newcomers to earn their citizenship, will reduce overall numbers of economic migrants coming to Britain, and the numbers awarded permanent settlement. | He added: "Our tough new Australian points system, plus our plans for newcomers to earn their citizenship, will reduce overall numbers of economic migrants coming to Britain, and the numbers awarded permanent settlement. |
| "Crucially the points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come - and no more. | "Crucially the points system means only the migrants with the skills Britain needs can come - and no more. |
| "Had the points-based system been in place last year there would have been 12% fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route." | "Had the points-based system been in place last year there would have been 12% fewer people coming in to work through the equivalent work permit route." |