No National Rollout Of 'Go Home' Migrant Vans

The Government has dropped its controversial "go home" van campaign aimed at tackling illegal immigration.

The policy will not be rolled out nationwide, following a storm of criticism after it was piloted in six London boroughs this summer.

Posters on the side of vans asked: "In the UK illegally? Go home or face arrest" and showed a pair of handcuffs and an official with a Home Office badge.

The advertising watchdog recently ruled that the arrest statistics cited were misleading, but rejected complaints that the posters were offensive or racist.

The pilot cost £10,000 and its critics included the coalition's own Business Secretary Vince Cable, who called it "stupid and offensive".

Tory Immigration Minister Mark Harper said only last week that the approach could be adopted nationwide if it was effective.

But the Home Office now says they will be no extension after an initial evaluation showed unconvincing results.

Home Secretary Theresa May confirmed the move during a Commons debate on the coalition's flagship plans to tighten the immigration system.

Government 'gimmicks': Yvette Cooper

"We won't be rolling out the vans, they were too much of a blunt instrument," she told MPs, while also attacking Labour's lack of action when it was in power.

Lib Dem party president Tim Farron branded the policy a "cheap political stunt" as he welcomed the move to scrap it.

"The vans represented the worst kind of divisive politics and it seems only one immigrant went home because of them," he said.

"This is a failed project and the Home Office should hold their hands up and admit it was wrong both practically and morally.

"It is important that our borders are protected and secure but this policy - driving a van around some of the most diverse communities in London - is not the way to deliver that."

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper claims Labour's plans on immigration are in contrast to Government "gimmicks" like the vans or texting immigrants.

The Opposition is tabling a string of amendments during the Immigration Bill debate as it argues it does nothing to tackle border control or the exploitation of foreign workers.

Under the coalition's crackdown, which forms the centrepiece of its legislative programme this year, illegal immigrants will be stopping from opening bank accounts.

Banks, employers and landlords will also have to check people's status and the rights of appeal for illegal immigrants and foreign prisoners will be slashed.

Temporary residents will also have to pay an annual levy to fund NHS treatment in an attempt to tackle the costs of so-called "health tourism".

The Opposition is trying to regain the initiative on what is a top public concern by tabling a package of measures designed to limit immigration from within the EU.

Freedom of movement rules in Europe mean it is impossible to stop migrants coming to the UK to work but Labour wants to tighten the rules to stop Britons being penalised.

It claims its proposals are the "first serious attempt by any party" to deal with the problems caused by EU migration, which are among voters' top concerns.

Labour's plans include:

:: Making it illegal for employers to deliberately run shifts for foreign workers only;

:: Forcing large firms hiring a worker from outside the EU to offer an apprenticeship in return;

:: Banning unsuitable housing being used as tied accommodation to offset the minimum wage;

:: Increasing the fine to £50,000 for not paying the minimum wage;

:: Trebling the fine to £30,000 for employing illegal immigrants.

Mr Miliband's proposal for firms who bring in foreign workers to be forced to create apprenticeships has already been condemned by business leaders.

The British Chambers of Commerce denounced it as an "apprentice tax" while the Institute of Directors said it was "completely removed from reality".

The Government argues its measures will help reduce net migration from outside the EU to less than 100,000 a year.

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