Immigration specialists, Garth Coates Solicitors, has responded to news that the Prime Minister is contemplating an ‘emergency brake’ on immigration

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is on track to introduce an immigration “emergency brake”, with measures being loosened only when migrants from certain EU countries are at a specific level.

The potential tough stance is thought to stem from the increasing popularity of UKIP at the polls, putting pressure on David Cameron and the Tory party and thrusting the topic of immigration to the forefront of mainstream politics.

Already, the PM has outlined benefit limitations for migrants arriving in the UK from new EU countries, but it’s now being widely reported that he’s weighing up even tougher measures in new attempts to appeal to the electorate and quell the rise of the UK Independence Party. A move towards a more hard-line stance is also said to be a part of an effort to renegotiate the UK’s role in the EU.

Some are suggesting that an announcement on new measures could be made by Cameron in the run up to the by-election in Rochester and Strood – a move that would hurt Nigel Farage and his party.

Although others are reporting that he could also put an emergency brake on immigration on hold until Christmas, in case Mark Reckless wins the by-election.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, also recently called for a quota system on EU migrants. Johnson said: “The voters aren’t fools. They have spotted the incoherence – and what they object to is not so much the immigrants themselves; what makes people angry is the sense that the whole thing is out of control.

“Britain is now the America of the EU; the place people to want to come; the magnet for the hordes at Calais.

“It is only reasonable for us to have some kind of further protections – involving points or even quotas, agreed with business – so we can manage that pressure.”

But Garth Coates Solicitors, a legal firm in London who specialise in immigration and frequently comment on relevant news and discussions, believes that the proposed measures are most likely politically motivated and reactionary.

“With the way the economy has been in the last decade it’s not surprising that immigration has become a topic of conversation in British life – that’s a normal reaction to times of economic hardship, especially when there’s strain on public services. However, it seems that there is little appetite for a serious discussion on the pros and cons of immigration as it stands today. You rarely hear about what migrants add to the country economically, rather what you find is new policies floated around to capitalise on the mood of discontent and anti-politics.

“We don’t support blanket bans or reactionary hardline measures, we’d rather see the best and brightest continue to be let into the country on their merits and what they can bring to the table. We think that would be the most productive course of action.”

If you’re thinking about applying for a visa and you want to increase your chances of approval, visit the Garth Coates Solicitors website www.garthcoates.com today for more information.