Theresa May has set out strict new rules to help slash immigration to the tens of thousands and she outlined her Brexit ambitions in the Tory manifesto.

Despite failing to meet the pledge in the past, the Conservative manifesto promises to cut migration to the tens of thousands for the third successive election.

Mrs May will change the law to make it more expensive for firms to bring in foreign workers and make it more expensive for non British nationals to use the NHS.

The Prime Minister's blueprint for power sets out her red lines ahead of the Brexit talks, which the EU say can begin within hours of the election being declared.

Theresa May has vowed she will cut immigration below 100,000 with her Brexit deal and tough new rules on foreign arrivals if re-elected on June 8

Despite failing to meet the pledge in the past the Conservative manifesto promises to cut migration to the tens of thousands for the third successive election

The manifesto makes clear the Tories will seek to 'bear down on immigration'.

Unlike Labour's plans, the numerical target remains and foreign students will continue to be included in the statistics.

The manifesto said: 'We will increase the earnings thresholds for people wishing to sponsor migrants for family visas.

'We will toughen the visa requirements for students, to make sure that we maintain high standards.

'We will expect students to leave the country at the end of their course, unless they meet new, higher requirements that allow them to work in Britain after their studies have concluded.

'Overseas students will remain in the immigration 55 statistics – in line with international definitions – and within scope of the government’s policy to reduce annual net migration.'

Mrs May will change the law to make it more expensive for firms to bring in foreign workers and make it more expensive for non British nationals to use the NHS

The Prime Minister's blueprint for power sets out her red lines ahead of the Brexit talks, which the EU say can begin within hours of the election being declared

The Tories are maintaining their pledge to cut immigration to the tens of thousands. The current figure is far higher than this at 273,000 but has fallen from its peak last year

On Brexit and immigration, the document added: 'Leaving the European Union means, for the first time in decades, that we will be able to control immigration from the European Union too.

MAY'S BREXIT RED LINES Theresa May committed her Brexit red lines to the manifesto today, tying in her Conservative candidates to her objectives. She wants: A 'deep and special relationship' with the EU

No deal is better than a deal

Freedom from the European Court so Britain makes its own laws

Controlled immigration via the end of free movement, with a two way deal on EU nationals in the UK and Britons on the continent

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'We will therefore establish an immigration policy that allows us to reduce and control the number of people who come to Britain from the European Union, while still allowing us to attract the skilled workers our economy needs.'

In her speech launching the plans, Mrs May said Brexit was the 'central challenge' facing Britain and warned failure would be 'dire' for Britain.

She said: 'The British people made their choice. I respect that. And I respect the view of other European leaders who agree we can’t be half-in, half-out either.

'So we will leave the European Union and take control of our money, take control of our borders and take control of our laws.

'We will forge a new deep and special partnership with Europe, but reach out beyond Europe to strike new trade deals for our goods and services with old allies and new friends around the world too.

'We will make the decisions that matter to Britain here in Britain and be a great, global trading nation that stands tall in the world once again.'

Mrs May will hope the manifesto plans out today will help her capitalise on her commanding leads in the polls

Unlike Labour's plans, Mrs May's manifesto includes the numerical target on immigration and foreign students will continue to be included in the statistics

Mrs May accepted Britain would pay a 'reasonable' settlement on Brexit - a figure calculated by accountants today as around £5billion.

The document argues that 'when immigration is too fast and too high, it is difficult to build a cohesive society' and that with annual net migration standing at 273,000, 'immigration to Britain is still too high'.

The immigration skills charge levied on some firms employing migrant workers will double to £2,000 a year per employee by 2022 so 'we can invest more in workers in the UK'.

The revenue from the Skills Charge - which was introduced in April 2017 - will fund skills training for British workers.

The current charge is set at £1,000 per employee per year and is levied on employers that employ migrants in skilled areas.

There will also be an increase in the immigration health surcharge, to £600 for migrant workers and £450 for international students, to cover their use of the NHS.

But Ms Merkel said 'if the British Government says that free movement of people is no longer valid, that will have its price in relations with Britain'

The manifesto announcments come a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned 'if the British Government says that free movement of people is no longer valid, that will have its price in relations with Britain'.

She added: 'This isn't malicious, but I can't have all the good sides and then say there's a cap of 100,000 or 200,000 EU citizens, more aren't allowed into Britain - perhaps researchers as well, but no others, please.'

Speaking at an event with trade union officials in Berlin, she said: 'That won't work, and then we would have to think about what obstacle we create from the European side to compensate for that.'

In light of the EU referendum result being 52 per cent in favour of Brexit and 48 per cent against, Ms Merkel said: 'We will, of course, always think in the future relationship of the 48 or 49 per cent who didn't back Brexit.'

It comes as George Osborne stepped up his feud with Theresa May on Wednesday with a claim that no senior ministers support her 'rash target for cutting immigration

Mr Osborne tweeted a link to the article, which has sparked complaints that he is exploiting his privileged government knowledge in his new role

It comes as the editorial in George Osborne's Evening Standard yesterday lamented the fact that Mrs May is keeping the tens of thousands pledge.

It claimed that no senior ministers support her 'rash target for cutting immigration.

The former chancellor's newspaper launched a vicious attack on the Prime Minister's policy for reducing net flows below 100,000, branding it 'perverse'.

The Evening Standard editorial said most of the Cabinet had expected Mrs May to 'bury' the pledge when she took the keys to Downing Street and they would be glad to 'see the back of it'.

Although the pointed attack was not under Mr Osborne's name, as editor he oversees content in the paper and also tweeted a link to the piece.



