Jeremy Corbyn: 'Labour is not wedded to freedom of movement'

Jeremy Corbyn - Picture credit: the Labour Party

Labour is "not wedded" to the principle of free movement and would cut the number of EU migrants coming to Britain if it wins the next election, Jeremy Corbyn is expected to say later today.

In a major shift, the Labour leader will ditch his previous support for open borders by saying his party backs "reasonably managed migration as part of the post-Brexit relationship with the EU".

A Labour government would crack down on unscrupulous bosses using foreign labour to drive down the wages of British workers, which Corbyn claims would cut the numbers coming into the UK.

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However, Corbyn will also call on Theresa May to ensure Britain retains "full access" to the European single market after it ceases to be an EU member.

He will outline his post-Brexit vision in a major speech which is part of his attempt to relaunch his leadership and turn around his party's dismal poll ratings.

Corbyn will say: "Labour is not wedded to freedom of movement for EU citizens as a point of principle.

"But nor can we afford to lose full access to the European markets on which so many British businesses and jobs depend. Changes to the way migration rules operate from the EU will be part of the negotiations.

"Labour supports fair rules and reasonably managed migration as part of the post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Unlike the Tories, Labour will not offer false promises on immigration targets or sow division by scape-goating migrants.

"But Labour will take action against undercutting of pay and conditions by closing down cheap labour loopholes, banning exclusive advertising of jobs abroad and strengthening workplace protections.

"That would have the effect of reducing numbers of EU migrant workers in the most deregulated sectors, regardless of the final Brexit deal."

​Corbyn will say that "Britain can be better off after Brexit" and drop a huge hint that a Labour government would match Vote Leave's infamous pledge to give the NHS an extra £350m a week.

"We will rebuild our NHS by ending the under-funding and privatisation of health care," he will say.

"This government could have given the NHS the funding it needs, but it has chosen not to. Their tax giveaways to the very richest and to big business hand back £70bn between now and 2022. 

"The British people voted to refinance the NHS – and we will deliver it."

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said Corbyn's comments prove he "never had his heart in fighting to protect Britain’s place in Europe".

He said: "He is giving a speech signing up to the Vote Leave £350m myth, he might as well go the whole hog and borrow their bus. I imagine it still has the lie slapped on the side of it.

"On immigration, we are still no clearer about Labour’s position than when Jeremy Corbyn's deputy admitted Labour is hopelessly split.

"Jeremy Corbyn has ceased to be Leader of the Opposition to become cheerleader in chief for the Conservative Brexit government."