Streeting proposes high-skilled immigration increase in Labour leadership bid
6 reported
Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, is preparing to challenge Andy Burnham and others in a Labour leadership race to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. In a speech this coming week, Streeting will announce a plan to loosen immigration restrictions to attract top global talent, arguing that Donald Trump is telling scientists and AI experts they are not welcome in the US. His aides said he would introduce a global talent programme with a target of recruiting 20,000 world-leading scientists, AI experts and engineers over the next three years, housed in No 10 with a budget of £250m. Streeting’s second policy proposal involves using tax receipts from new North Sea oil and gasfields to fund initiatives that cut energy bills and emissions, such as insulation, heat pumps, and electrification. The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has faced pressure from the oil industry and opposition parties to allow production at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. On Thursday, Burnham will stand in the Makerfield byelection, with bookmakers offering odds of 1/7 on him winning.
What’s reported
Wes Streeting will announce a plan to increase high-skilled immigration as part of his Labour leadership pitch.
He argues Donald Trump is telling scientists and AI experts they are not welcome in the US.
His aides said he would introduce a global talent programme targeting 20,000 world-leading scientists, AI experts and engineers over three years, with a £250m budget housed in No 10.
Streeting will also propose using tax receipts from new North Sea oil and gasfields to cut energy bills and emissions.
Ed Miliband has come under pressure to allow production at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields.
Andy Burnham will stand in the Makerfield byelection on Thursday, with bookmakers offering odds of 1/7 on him winning.
Key figures
Wes Streeting, former health secretary and Labour leadership candidate
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester and Labour leadership candidate
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Donald Trump, US president
Ed Miliband, energy secretary
Sources: The Guardian
