Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out a future giveaway of visas for Indian workers.
The Prime Minister said allowing more people to work in the UK was not ‘part of the plans’ as he set off on his first trade mission to India.
He said his trip, on which he is being accompanied by more than 100 British business leaders, was about boosting investment following the trade deal he struck with his counterpart Narendra Modi in July.
The Free Trade Agreement had been delayed as the UK resisted demands by New Delhi for more professionals in sectors such as IT to be allowed to work in Britain.
Told on his way to Mumbai that chief executives in his delegation as well as in India still want more visas, the PM replied: ‘The visa situation hasn’t changed with the Free Trade Agreement, and therefore we didn’t open up more visas.’
Asked if that was likely to change in the future, he insisted: ‘No, that isn’t part of the plans. We’re here now to take advantage of the Free Trade Agreement that we’ve already struck.’
He said businesses ‘want to take advantage of the mood music that’s changed’ because of the deal and pointed out that British Airways is increasing its daily flights to Delhi.
‘The issue is not about visas. It’s about business-to-business engagement and investment and jobs and prosperity coming into the United Kingdom,’ Sir Keir said.
Keir Starmer speaks on the tannoy system to passengers on the plane as he prepares to board a flight to India where he will meet Narendra Modi
Downing Street said the two-day visit will be the biggest ever UK Government trade mission to India.
Flying with the PM and his entourage are 125 chief executives, entrepreneurs, university vice-chancellors and leading figures from cultural institutions who want to boost ties in the wake of the trade deal.
By lowering tariffs on British exports such as whisky and cars, the Government predicts the deal will increase GDP by £4.8billion a year.
