Locked [Politics] Immigration will be very important for the economy, says Jeremy Hunt

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Immigration will be important for the UK economy in the years ahead but the government still wants to bring numbers down, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said.

Official forecasts say net migration in 2026 will be 205,000, higher than previously predicted.

The Office for Budget Responsibility said it would help "offset slower growth in productivity".

Mr Hunt said the UK needed migrants but he wants to improve skills "at home" to lower dependence on foreign workers.

He also said Brexit had created trade barriers with the EU, but ruled out re-joining the single market.

The chancellor was speaking a day after delivering his Autumn Statement in which he announced tax rises and a squeeze on public spending.

He defended his actions arguing that tough decisions were needed to tackle inflation.

Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-63676395