Labour makes NO promise to cut immigration in its manifesto but does vow Brexit will mean the end of free movement of EU citizens

  • Labour's plans reject imposing 'bogus immigration targets' on the border rules 
  • It accepts ending free movement of people, unlike the draft document leaked 
  • Ukip lashed Labour tonight for offering the work class a 'slap in the face'  
  • Campaign group Migration Watch condemned the 'worst possible manifesto'  

Labour's manifesto contains no commitment to cut immigration if Jeremy Corbyn is installed at No 10 despite Brexit meaning the end of free movement of people from Europe.

Mr Corbyn insisted migration was essential to Britain and challenged on whether immigration would ever come down under Labour he refused to say yes.

He said a Home Office run by Diane Abbott would offer a 'fair, decent and reasonable' set of immigration rules that looked to economic need and would avoid undercutting of wages by migrant workers.  

Mr Corbyn's plans, confirmed today after a sensational leak last week, will infuriate the millions of Labour voters who backed Brexit because of runaway immigration.

Labour instead promised to put growth and jobs ahead of 'bogus immigration targets' and said the party would 'develop and implement fair immigration rules'.

Ukip condemned Labour as a soft touch on immigration tonight, insisting the manifesto was a 'slap in the face for working class communities'.

Labour's manifesto contains no commitment to cut immigration if Jeremy Corbyn (pictured unveiling his plans today) is installed at No 10

Labour's manifesto contains no commitment to cut immigration if Jeremy Corbyn (pictured unveiling his plans today) is installed at No 10

Mr Corbyn 's plans, confirmed today after a sensational leak last week, will infuriate the millions of Labour voters who backed Brexit because of runaway immigration

Mr Corbyn 's plans, confirmed today after a sensational leak last week, will infuriate the millions of Labour voters who backed Brexit because of runaway immigration

Mr Corbyn (pictured with his shadow cabinet at the manifesto launch today) is also vowing to reintroduce a Migrant Impact Fund to help communities where there is high immigration

Mr Corbyn (pictured with his shadow cabinet at the manifesto launch today) is also vowing to reintroduce a Migrant Impact Fund to help communities where there is high immigration

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn arrived for his manifesto launch with deputy Tom Watson today 

Asked if immigration would fall, Mr Corbyn said: 'Free movement that currently exists within the European Union, obviously at the time we leave the European Union that free movement doesn't continue.

'We will negotiate a trade agreement with the European Union that will ensure tariff-free access to the European Union and future migration will be based on a fair migration policy - a fairness towards our economy and needs of our people, and an end to the undercutting and exploitation that goes with it.

'I believe that a Home Office led by Diane Abbott will be fair and decent and reasonable in the way that it runs it.

'But bear in mind, if there hadn't been people coming here to work in our NHS, all of us would be in far worse health than we are in the present time - just remember that.'

Ukip immigration spokesman John Bickley told MailOnline:  'This is a slap in the face for working class communities who’ve had to bear the brunt of uncontrolled immigration and its impact on jobs, wages, public services and housing. 

'Immigration was deliberately unleashed under Blair and Brown, for electoral advantage and to impose multiculturalism on Britain .

'Labour assumed their core vote had no one else to vote for and could be bribed to stay loyal with lashings of benefits.' 

He added: 'No doubt Diane Abbot will soon be telling us that by not setting a cap on immigration, Labour will be setting a ceiling on immigration numbers, that thousands of border control staff will be taken on, costing only £30 each per year and that 2+2=6.'  

Ukip immigration spokesman John Bickley lashed Labour over a 'slap in the face for working class communities'

Ukip immigration spokesman John Bickley lashed Labour over a 'slap in the face for working class communities'

Mr Corbyn is also vowing to reintroduce a Migrant Impact Fund to help communities where there is high immigration.

The document said the Labour Party would not 'scapegoat' migrants and promised to remove foreign students from migration statistics. 

The Labour leader has repeatedly hinted he has no problem with the number of people coming to Britain each year - until recently at a record rate of 330,000 a year. 

Labour's Brexit plans continue to promise to change Theresa May's negotiating strategy and admit Labour would take a 'no deal' scenario off the table. 

Mrs May has warned ruling out walking out of the Brexit talks weakens Britain's hand and would leave her vulnerable to blackmail.

Mr Corbyn's manifesto said he would instead negotiate transitional arrangements that would keep Britain inside the EU until a better deal was available. 

He would also unilaterally guarantee the rights of millions of EU citizens in Britain before getting a promise about Britons in Europe in return.  

Mr Corbyn's wife Laura Alvarez attended today's manifesto launch in Bradford (pictured) 

Mr Corbyn's wife Laura Alvarez attended today's manifesto launch in Bradford (pictured) 

The 124-page document reveals Labour's Brexit plans continue to promise to change Theresa May's negotiating strategy and admit Labour would take a 'no deal' scenario off the table

The 124-page document reveals Labour's Brexit plans continue to promise to change Theresa May's negotiating strategy and admit Labour would take a 'no deal' scenario off the table

After seeing the draft of Labour's plans last week, Migration Watch chairman Lord Green said: 'For anyone who is worried about immigration, this is the worst possible manifesto.

'There are no effective measures proposed to reduce the numbers. Indeed, they have no intention of doing so. 

'This reflects an arrogant disregard of many people's genuine concerns.' 

The Prime Minister last week recommitted the Conservatives to reducing net migration to the tens of thousands.

Net migration has dropped from its peak last year of more than 330,000 but it is still far above the Government target of the tens of thousands 

Net migration has dropped from its peak last year of more than 330,000 but it is still far above the Government target of the tens of thousands 

Migration Watch chairman Lord Green (file picture) condemned the Labour's draft plans as the 'worst possible manifesto' for immigration policy last week 

Migration Watch chairman Lord Green (file picture) condemned the Labour's draft plans as the 'worst possible manifesto' for immigration policy last week 

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was out promoting the manifesto this morning (pictured) ahead of its official unveiling 

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was out promoting the manifesto this morning (pictured) ahead of its official unveiling 

Mr Corbyn has previously indicated he wants unfettered migration to continue and been inconsistent on what he expects to happen to free movement rules after Brexit.

A leak of his manifesto suggested all EU migrants already here will be given automatic rights to stay – something Mrs May has refused to do as she wants to make sure the rights of British ex-pats are also secured.

The final manifesto promised 'reasonable management of migration' but warned: 'In trade negotiations, our priorities favour growth, jobs and prosperity.

'We make no apologies for putting these aims before bogus immigration targets.'

The document added: 'Freedom of movement will end when we leave the European Union. 

'Britain's immigration system will change but Labour will not scapegoat migrants nor blame them for economic failures.' 

The Labour plans will also strip foreign students out of the official migration statistics - at a stroke removing thousands from the headline figures of people arriving.   

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured yesterday campaigning in Oxford West) has recommitted the Tories to promising to cut net migration to the tens of thousands

Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured yesterday campaigning in Oxford West) has recommitted the Tories to promising to cut net migration to the tens of thousands