Curb immigration? EASY, phase out all UK social welfare payments over a 3 x year period. Not only will you discourage people trying to enter but with nothing left to "rip off" there will me a mass exodus. Perhaps the UK might even end up like Thailand, not rich but HAPPY with a smile for everybody.

Peter, Prachuapkirikhan, Thailand

In order to limit immigration, we must first leave the EU of course. That of course would be something far too sensible for any of our political parties. As an ex-pat, I'd love to be able to come back to England, but the England I knew no longer exists.

M smith, Bangkok, Thailand

Everyone I speak to old and young say this country has lost its identity while politicians use immigrants to stay in power.
The only reason the BNP dont do better is because not everywhere yet is like an inner-city, there are still pockets of our green and pleasant land not yet "blessed"

steve, West Midlands, uk

Putting a limit on immigration? Why the minister not just suspend it, at leat for three years?

James Wong, Macau,

The economic crisis was largely due to people's greed, excessive spending on credit and large degree of faked sickness and people getting undeserved benefits...To forget all this and put the blame on "Immigrants" for everything that goes wrong, is just another way of hiding away from the real issue.

dominic, hull, UK

I have two grown up children both members of the bnp both girls I cant say I approve but they are telling me that the labour party are terrified because they are taking so many votes from them and fear they they will never hold power again, I believe them it is self evident even I see it .

dave, andover, hampshire

David Cartright, Birmingham

Lets send back all the British expats, which exceed the UK's immigrant population.

Alternatively, lets send all the Europeans back from all around the world (Americas, Australia, N.Zealand etc) in return for all the foreigners out of Europe.

Abid Hussain, Cambridge, UK

Hang on - this makes no sense. If immigration is a benefit to the economy then either we should be boosting immigration to somehow save the economy, or this should never have happened to us in the first place due to high immigration!

Or Nick Griffin and the BNP have been right all along....??

Paul Williams, London, England

Dont blame the immigrants .Its the governments who make these policies for ecnomic benefits.Lets have a system like Dubai where jobseekers are given renewable work permits for five years.These workers should obviously pay no tax and have no access no public funds. Once they retire they can go home.

HASAN, HARROGATE, UK

who would have thought it would have it come to this, but im afraid we have to look to the British national party. They are not Nazi's, in this watered down democratic world they are the only conservatives left.

Michael, london,

Your reader who suggests we must deport illegal immigrants is absolutely right.Stopping the influx is a start,but there must be an exodus and the authorities must clamp down on people who have no right to be here.
People should be stopped and asked to produce their work permits and passports.

james allen, manchester, england

yes, john, london, cut my benefits but send someone round to put me to sleep with an injection first to save me from dying of cold and hunger, you'd be doing me a favour or would you prefer me to do it for myself?

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

Uk is more densely populated gthan India. Bolivia has only 7 people /sq km, is a democratic country and desperately needs entrepreneurs to kick start its economy. Solution?

John Bell, Nottingham,

How thick does a labour politician have to be not to see the obvious?

Thorrun, Brentwood, UK

if skilled immigrants are not allowed then how will Britain survive on its own! Who will pay for free NHS services and other "benefits" It would be sensible to deport illegal immigrants first and stop them from entering easily.

Mark, chester,

this has nothing whatsoever to with numbers, it's a cynical attempt to push up Zanulabour's popularity in advance of Glenrothes. its just nasty old-fashioned pandering to xenophobia in advance of an even nastier announcement they are about to make its an old trick of look over there

peter c, Devizes, Wessex

Why is it that 5 years after the rest of us have bellowed the problem from the rooftops ... the Government only now realise that there is a problem?
Is this another case of "We must, and we will listen to the people"?
Government by retrospect - but what can you expect from one that's lost its way

David Michael, London, UK

Labour may announce restriction of immigration and many other measures, but will anything actually happen. Nothing so far has happened. Meanwhile indigenous Brits flee our hapless Country in droves.

Ross, eastbourne,

Sorry Joe of Manchester !
Official reports last week reported that the UK had just overtaken The Netherlands. In the same report only Bangladesh and South Korea had higher population densities than the UK.

paul, Charlottesville,Virginia,

So, all the groups they cannot stop, how many of the people they CAN stop does that leave? Probably a few thousand who will have no material affect on the numbers. Just another example fo the desperation incompetence and dishonesty of this pointless shower.

Neil Murphy, Cromer,

Yes, yes, surely we remember all these general human values: Liberte ! Egalite !! Fraternite !!!

But Kosovo is a cruel reality . . .

Pavel, Moacow, Russia

Its not only immigration which should be curbed. What about companies that outsource thousands of UK jobs to India? It's about time the government got tough with these companies and make them keep their loyal UK employees.

adrian gunn, farnham, UK

As far as I am concerned it is not about being black or white but about sheer numbers of people entering our country and claiming benefit they are not entitled to. The British have always been great travellers but they seldom demand money from other countries and try and fit in with the customs.

gilmartin, bristol, england

I hear something about horses and stable doors.

John Taylor, Liverpool, England

Yes, let's "break the link" between working hard for the greater good and contributing to society and enjoying the rewards of that work - namely, a stake in society in the form of citizenship. Labour should be ashamed of themselves.

Ian, London, UK

Joe, Manchester:
Britain is not the densest country in Europe, the Netherlands are Belgium have a higher population. And countries such as India, Japan, Lebanon, Israel, the Phillipines and Vietnam are denser too. Not quite as extraordinary when the real facts emerge.

Martin O'Brien, Manchester,

I'm tired of people condeming the British worker.
They forget that the british fought in two world wars
As for the immigrants working in this country, if people took more notice they would realise that most of these immigrants do NOT pay tax.
Britsh worker was made to look bad by the Tories

Graham, Swansea, UK

And still the Eastern Europeans will continue to invade the UK taking our social services for granted. No doubt even others will still continue to arrive - Nu Labour cannot be trusted and neither can the Conservatives.

R McAuley, Antrim, United Kingdom

England has just overtaken The Netherlands as the most crowded country in Europe.. However how can one control population growth in immigrant groups already settled here ? One in four births to immigrants indicates a birth rate well exceeding the 2.1/woman level needed for a stable population..

paul, Charlottesville,Virginia,

They are desperate to get re-elected so they now promise to do what they spent 11 years saying they couldn't - or wouldn't! - do

christina Speight, london, UK

gordon draper, brightlingsea

your racist comment: "send all none british back to there own country and leave england to the english the white english," Britons are actually one of the most migratory peoples on earth who have settled in all corners of the world. What do you say about that?

Charan Muzaya, London, UK

That's not possible, Nedu. It's against European law. If we Brits want to be able to work in the EU, we can't deny people from the EU access.

Ross, lancaster, uk

The rot set in with unrestricted EU immigration, 400,000,000 have the right to come here to live or work, it is crazy. It is also crazy to let EU Citizens exchange their sometimes dubiously obtained Driving licences for full British Driving Licences without taking British Driving Test.

George, Weston-super-Mare, UK

Ignorance abounds; Many Commonwealth members have not had automatic 'free reign' to enter UK for decades, are limited in their time allowed, have restricted working periods, are not allowed to claim benefits but pay same tax as British citizen. Question my Ancestry right? 4 Grandparents 'British'.

Joanne , Littlehampton, England

It is common sense to limit immigration in a country that already has an overstretched infrastructure and limited space.

Alan, Frankfurt, Germany

They have been threatening to tighten immigration since they took power 11 years ago and then done exactly the opposite. How many times does this recycled headline grabber get into print before the press finally tells the No. 10 press spinmeisters "don't ring us we will ring you".

rob, Ipswich,

Cut the benefits for all and watch immigration fall. I'm sick of paying out for people of all colours -mostly white- to sit on their bottoms, I especially dislike paying tax for those that want to blow up people.
Labour helped fuel this mess through policy, just like the housing bubble.

john, london,

Our guardianista "elites" in government, opposition, the civil institutions and the media will get tough on (unwanted and unasked-for) immigration when hell freezes over. I don't believe one word of this.

Steve Jacks, London,

It makes you wonder what the welfare bill is going to be to keep 3 million east europeans in job seekers allowance and child benefits paid to their families back in Poland for the next 3-4 years.

If we got rid of those we could give people a decent standard of benefits rather than a pitiful £60.

Frank, London,

Get real, this is a Labour Government.

judy, liverpool, england

What is the point of limiting immigration when EU members, Commonwealth members and Asylum seekers have free reign.
Immigration is the only sure fire way of determining who enters the country legally. The other three doors have been taken of their hinges.

I Told You So springs to mind but who cares

Mannin Abedd, Narnia,

Mmmmmh?? Must be an election due!

James, Stockton on Tees,

‘providing jobs for racist and xenophobic Brits.
Abid Hussain, Cambridge, UK’

I just hope the government has the confidence to resist the demands, threats and accusations from people like the above and those with a vested interest in maintaining the massive immigration from non EU countries.

David Cartright, Birmingham,

11 years too late. Labour won't get any creedence for acting now; the UK has changed forever thanks to them. The ones that work will go home & the ones that just want to scrounge of the UK taxpayer will be allowed to remain & carry on doing it. Labour is scared of the BNP in its FORMER heartlands.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

I just wish I could find some of this immigrant labour to build me an extension-English builders are quoting me telephone numbers for like they see me as their last job payment that will give them enough to retire on.

Fred, Chichester,

Much too little and far too late !!! The only thing you can say with assurance about this sorry bunch of incompetents is that you always know where you are with them. They'll always screw things up !

Wade Hampton, Southampton, UK

Don't believe Labour.There is an election coming within the next 2 years and they want people to believe they are listening to them.

Sue B, chichester, uk

Has this been announced in Parliament? No, I thought not.
Yet another NewLiebour cynical PR leak of which no substance will come. What state will the country be in when we finally get a general election? I despair.

Charles, Epsom,

skilled imigrants help uk econonmy by paying good tax and they do not get any benefits, they work harder, most of the people work , skilled immigrants do not get any benefits, please think twice we work harder living our homes come here.

sunny, london, uk

The majority of immigration has been from non EU countries. These immigrants are unlikely to go home. The damage has already been done. These will end up on welfare leading to more social tension. All this should have been foreseen and action taken years ago

David Cartright, Birmingham,

Oh dear it took Crash Gordon a long time to work that one out!

Too little too late!!!

adam, Eden,

First all immigrant having committed crime in UK should be deported with their family, and all immigration from out side the EU should be stopped. People opposing should think of the future of the country and it’s people.

Munna , London, UK

Thank the Lord.Better late than never.I am not a racist,my wife is Asian but I am sick of putting up with immigrants who do not integrate or appreciate the British culture.The bus is full send them back to their own much more spacious countries and let Britain celebrate being British again!

Jez Bonnar, Chedders, England

Like Josh from Australia said and I agree 100%, the vast majority of unemployed people are white british people that prefer to drink until they fall on the pub and collect the social security benefits money at the end of the month to actually do some work. Plus this country in no longer attractive.

Joaquin, Newcastle, United Kingdom

Good talk, but how can Phil Woolas achieve these seems misunderstanding, Limit number from non EU yes, Limit number from EU no, these seems to be xenophobic aganst non EU. I suggest he should play level game by limiting both EU and non EU migrant.

nedu, london, UK

talk about closing the door after the horse has bolted....

sparks, uk,

Shame on you for blaming the state of the economy on anyone but the British government itself, Mr Woolas.

Here's a suggestion: currently anyone can start a business. Insist they have qualifications. I guarantee you'll see the number of immigrants (and the number of British cowboys!) fall.

Ross, lancaster, uk

This is all political posturing. As the article eventually admits, EU immigration cannot be curbed and asylum seekers will still arrive. And, yes, cutting the amount of foreign (non-EU) students is shooting oneself in the foot. In fact, the UK should enjoy squeezing the money out of them.

Ed, London,

I think it is a smart move, not because there is any particular group which belongs or doesn't belong in the UK, but because there are only so may people that you can fit in a small island before the overall quality of life begins to decrease. It is perhaps time to re-address that balance.

Bob, Putney, UK

After many years of the public shouting we don't want Blair's instant mass immigration policy we now have the government saying they want to curb it. Talk about shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted!! Many of these immigrants will now go on the dole, another huge cost to taxpayers!

malarky, ledbury, england

I have to say that you guys having to allow all and sundry to migrate from Europe into the UK is akin to the USA opening our borders to Mexicans...you have a Labour Government to blame for not standing up to the EU. I suggest to you that Non-EU immigrants are NOT the main cause of UK racial tensions

Drew, New York,

send all none british back to there own country and leave england to the english the white english, those who have english tyrs from the year dot

gordon draper, brightlingsea, united kingdom

A NZer living in the UK for 9yrs, I find the zenophobic hysteria from the uneducated masses and media manipulated soundbytes to be quite frightening. Perhaps a look at the very existence of your United Kingdom (oxi-moron) should be considered? Your foreign brothers gave lives for your freedom.

Joanne , Littlehampton, England

"The Government cannot, however, curb EU migration and has international obligations to accept asylum-seekers."

The treaties state a migrant has to be offered refuge in the first safe country they encounter. France is pretty safe i think so we don't have to house anybody.

Anthony Lester, Brum,

40 years too late - the damage is done!

John, RAK, UAE

N Labour need to close the borders, then they can monitor the numbers. And every "visitor" should need to apply for a visa, all very well the EU telling us we have to let anyone one in from the EU but it does'nt work, Margaret thatcher was right to warn us about opening our borders.

oliver, colchester,

Re skill the workforce first and then provided you're willing to PAY salaries to locals WILLING to do the work then fine cut immigration. Else we'll be paying a lot more for services (coffee at starbucks, meal in a restaurant, plumbing, building etc etc.) for a long long time.

Salman Jaffer, London, United Kingdom

The British Nationality Act of 1948 is the most sexist piece of legislation I have ever come across. A person born before Feb 1961to a British mother is unable to get British citizenship.Only through a British father.This legislation has to go!Recognise persons properly entitled.Not foreigners!!

Carol, Cape town, south africa

Earlier this year The Times published an article about a study which found that immigrant workers are not displacing home workers on the job market, are more productive, more likely to have a job and less likely to become criminals compared to UK workers of the same age grp. What happend to that?

Florian, Newcastle / Meerbusch, UK / GER

Josh,
no unemployed ethnic minorities! Where are you living? If it's London pop into your local jobcentre and you will see that the majority of people signing on are Minorities just like the vast majority of the staff working there.

Richard, London, England

Abid--if we are as racist and xenophobic as you say then why do you live here? Have you no self respect?

Alan, Chigwell., UK

Josh Leeds
How do you know that? And it's English and British with capital first letters. Please give your ancestral country the dignity it deserves. Unemployment here is one percent more than Australia at September 2008. Why are you here if it's so bad?

James Goodyear, Bolton, UK

Its too late! Britain is the densest country in Europe, and 3rd most dense in the world after Bangladesh and S Korea. Extraordinary fact, but true! Immigration laxity has been exploited for decades, and done permanent damage that can't be reversed.

Joe, Manchester,

Nulab did nothiong about immigration when Business wanted a constant supply of cheap transient workers to undercut locals. Now the benefit bills are going up and suddenly theyre "doing something". Shower of incompetents.

ian, londin, uk

Strict limits are to be imposed on immigration amid fears that unemployment rises in the economic downturn will fuel racial tension.

Are we then saying that while people are drunk with cheap credit they can tolarate immigration, but soon as the credit dries up and reality sets in, truth prevails

andy, Chesterfield, England

Abid, Cambridge.

Your comments are unhelpfull and betray an innate racism which you should look to address in your own attitude.
We're talking about number of human beings living on the island not their colour or creed. Yours is the approach which has stifled this debate for a generation.

Chris , Derby,

Do not worry! the UK is not an atractive migration country anymore. Potential migrants will not want to come here and do the work that lazy, drunk, benefit supported brits won't do. As an european immigrant I have to say that this country is grossly over rated.

Joaquin, Newcastle, UK

It's funny how the government is stressing out on the immigration issue as the main worried, while most of the unemployed who claim benefits for no reasons are mostly from this country.

rita, worcester, worcs

It begs - just who are all these people who have suddenly decided they would want another 5 years of Gordon Brown should there be a General Election? Are they crazy?!! Enough was enough 10 years ago - let alone this typical Labour afterthought when the immigration horse has already bolted long ago.

Drew, Nottingham,

This ridiculously incompetent Government could never ever get things right. It is TOO LATE for Brown to start doing things that should have been done 11 years ago. It is his Party, the Labour Party/Govt, who have destroyed this Country and now he thinks he can fix it and take credit if he can. Get lost Brown and take your Government of self interested people with you.

mike, london, uk

There is no way the government will do anything to stop immigration. Most immigrants who vote vote Labour, and the government will are desperate for votes and have clearly given up on the white working class.
I was a Labour voter but joined the BNP and wish I'd done it years ago.

Roger, Norwich,

As an Aussie living over here - i have english ancesery visa and cant be kicked out so not worried , but it is funny as the thing you notice in britain is that the unemployed can be matched to one racial group - yep White British - unfortunatley for your country you cant send these lazy lot home

Josh, Leeds,

Wise(?) after the event. The state of the UK economy will ensure that the number of immigrants will drop regardless of the minister's action and many that came have or will return home. Just like his boss, Brown, action is taken far too late to affect the cause so this is just soundbite policy.

A.M. Williams, Stafford,

I though the NuLabour line was that immigration was good for the ecconomy. Have they done a U-turn ?

Chris, Haslemere, UK

labour should have realised that the amount immigrants that have flooded into the UK would have caused a lot off problems. not only with unemployment but with communities in general, by just listening to people around they feel betrayed by this labour goverment. This goverment has let this country

brian edhouse, oldham, lancs

Your Headline should say "Stable doors to be closed after every horse has bolted."

Didn't they double the number of bridge lookouts on the Titanic, after it hit an Iceberg and I thought the government didn't have a sense of humour.

Graham, St. Albans, uk

"Strict limits are to be imposed on immigration amid fears that unemployment rises in the economic downturn will fuel racial tension."

Oh no! does that mean I'll have to get my driveway tarmaced by a couple of Irish lads (who just happend to be in the area) in half hour flat for £200?

Mohammed, London, UK

Do not worry, the free market will regulate without ministers' opinion. Most eastern European will go home then to USA to buy houses there after this Christmas but the others are going to arrive but not from Europe.

alex, leeds, west yorkshire

steve tea ? " you do not trust Labour" , thats unfair. we can trust them to make a complete mess of things.

frank, swindon, uk

Stece Tea ..above

Manchester,Cheshire ? I being a manc ,Was wondering if they have moved Manchster into Cheshire.

ète, valencias, spain

Oh, lets also limit foreigners investing i n this country: Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Sony, Hitachi...£3 billion in the power wind farm by Abu Dahbi, Saudi's buying BAESystem's aircraft, Singapore , Malaysia, Arab airlines buying A380s.....etc etc providing jobs for racist and xenophobic Brits.

Abid Hussain, Cambridge, UK

This government stupidly let illegal immigration run riot and with unemployment set to soar, they must take responsibility for any racial tension caused . They deliberately let this happen because they thought it boosted economic growth,ignoring all the other future problems that will now occur.

Kim, Bristol,

Ah yes a good idea Nulabour just a tad - 10 years actually too late, horse + Gate + Bolted comes to mind.

Nothing like sorting things after the event, similar to the "Oh i havent considered what thet will cause" comment.

Will there be resentment - well of course there will and evil acts.

Peter, Aldershot, Uk

Oh yeh - and why now??

Why wasnt it a problem 5 years ago ?

Quote from Tony Blair - Immigration is good for the UK economy - Not so now then Tony.

Peter, Aldershot, UK

We'll have net migration here in the next five years. If there is anyone left between the ages of 20 and 30 I'll be surprised. That generation has been hung out to dry.

john p-t, Reigate,

oh, did New Labour have a minister for immigration ? i didn't notice. Does he wear a clown's costume and drive a silly car ?
they have played a huge prank on the british public and our children will inherit the car crash.

forget social cohesion, england died in 1997.

frank, swindon, uk

Yes New Labour will reduce migration.

From Europe!!!!!

Fabio C, London, UK

I do not trust Labour when it comes to immigration

steve tea, manchester, cheshire