Candidates clash on immigration in election debate

From left to right: Richard Lloyd, Matt Warman and Richard Tice

Parliamentary candidates in the Boston and Skegness constituency have clashed over immigration in a radio debate.

On Wednesday, Liberal Democrat Richard Lloyd, Reform UK's Richard Tice and Conservative Matt Warman appeared on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, live from Skegness.

The candidates debated issues including immigration, out-of-work benefits and the NHS, fielding questions from listeners.

Discussing benefits, Mr Tice accused the Conservative government of "abandoning young people just to bring in cheap foreign labour". Mr Warman replied it was "delusional" to think people on benefits would "immediately" work in agriculture or social care.

"There has to be a sensible transition process," Mr Warman added.

When asked by a listener how they would reduce migration, Mr Lloyd said the Liberal Democrats favoured a "skills-based entry" to ensure people were employed in sectors where there was the most need.

Mr Tice said that there was a need to "freeze migration", as "cheap, low-skilled labour is bad for the economy".

Mr Warman said the Conservatives had introduced tougher legislation to tackle illegal migration, but that they would need to "get a grip" on legal migration and set a cap on it.

The BBC has contacted Alex Fawbert, the Labour candidate for Boston and Skegness, for comment.

The full debate is available on BBC Sounds here.

Full list of candidates for the Boston & Skegness constituency:

David Dickason - English Democrats

Alex Fawbert - Labour Party

Mike Gilbert - Blue Revolution

Richard Gordon Lloyd - Liberal Democrats

Chris Moore - Green Party

Richard Tice - Reform UK

Matt Warman - Conservative

You can use the BBC News lookup tool to find out which constituency you are in, who is standing as a candidate in your area and which polling station you can vote at.

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