Rishi Sunak pressured to back immigration minister's migration plans

Rishi Sunak is coming under pressure to endorse proposals to cut migration set out by his own immigration minister.

Robert Jenrick has claimed he wanted to introduce a package of stricter migration controls, leaked to the papers last week, "last Christmas".

Mr Sunak has promised new laws to cut net migration, after it hit a record high last year.

Tory MP Sir John Hayes called on the PM to ensure any new laws "exactly" copied Mr Jenrick's proposals.

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Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Sir John - said 1.3 million migrants coming to the UK over a period of two years is "a catastrophe for Britain" and requires "urgent legislation".

Sir John, a long-time ally of former home secretary Suella Braverman, said: "In terms of the Bill that [Mr Sunak] has promised, will he ensure it is exactly in the form recommended by his own immigration minister?"

The prime minister said he was reviewing migration laws with Mr Jenrick and "we'll be bringing forward measures on top of the very significant restrictions that we've already announced".

Mr Sunak argued his plans to clamp down on dependents of students arriving in the UK was "the toughest action ever taken to reduce legal migration".

"The effects of that action are yet to be felt, but will impact 150,000 student dependants and forecasts show that migration is likely to drop as a result," Mr Sunak added.

'Open revolt'

Mr Jenrick's leaked proposals for a migration cap and a higher minimum salary requirements for visas were drawn up alongside Mrs Braverman - his old boss at the Home Office.

Sir John was one of several MPs that spoke in support of Mr Jenrick in the Commons on Tuesday, as he promised "serious package of fundamental reforms" to reduce net migration numbers.

Mr Jenrick told MPs he wished his package of stronger immigration reforms could have been brought in "before last Christmas".

He also appeared to go further than Mr Sunak's immigration stance claiming there were "strong arguments" for a cap on migrants, adding he hoped "we can bring forward a substance package of reforms quickly".

Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed Mr Jenrick's comments were part of an "open revolt" from the Tory MPs who want to see immigration cut.

Sir Keir pointed to former home secretary Mrs Braverman's claims that Mr Sunak's current Rwanda plan will mean no asylum seekers are flown there before the next election.

The Labour leader told MPs: "The immigration minister thinks the prime minister is failing because apparently nobody will listen to his secret plan, the former home secretary thinks he is failing because of his 'magical thinking', the current Home Secretary thinks he is failing."

Mr Sunak "has clearly become the man with the reverse Midas touch", Sir Keir said.