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Labour unveils plans for a major revamp of the immigration system so more skilled workers can come to Britain.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott outlines a shake up aimed at easing the NHS recruitment crisis and boosting industry after the UK quits the EU.

She will renew a pledge to ditch the Tories’ discredited target of slashing net migration to below 100,000 - a figure they have repeatedly missed, with annual net migration running at 282,000.

Speaking in Parliament, Miss Abbott will say: “This Government can’t say how many migrants will come here even though they are trying to control the numbers in a foolish and reckless way.

(Image: REUTERS)

“They have damaged our economy and our public services in the process, and never even come close to the target.

“The truth is this - either you can have rational, evidence-based criteria for migration, or you can have numerical targets.

“But you can’t have both.”

Labour would focus on sectors with a shortage of skilled workers, revealing details of “an integrated work visa system to meet Britain’s post-Brexit labour market requirements”.

(Image: PA)

Visas would be issued for jobs in a range of industries, including care, agriculture and construction, which rely on foreign workers.

“We have economic needs that dictate we need migrants to help tackle skills’ shortages and labour shortages,” Miss Abbott will say.

“Labour in government will establish a completely reformed work visa policy.

“This policy will sit alongside the existing visas for business trips, students, visitors and tourists.

“We will avoid the idiocy of preventing doctors and nurses from coming here to take up job offers

“Under our new work visa system, anyone with specified bona fide skills can come here to work.”

Ministers will drawn on evidence from the Migration Advisory Council, unions and employers.

The number of visas issued will be adjusted “as our needs change, or as shortages or surpluses develop”, she will say.

Aides pointed out her address comes 31 years after her maiden Commons speech, which also focused on immigration.