Wes Streeting’s pitch to be the next Labour leader will include a plan to increase high-skilled immigration to the UK, arguing that Donald Trump is telling scientists and AI experts they are not welcome in the US.
In a speech this coming week, the former health secretary will also say that tax revenues from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be used to cut energy bills.
Streeting is preparing to challenge Andy Burnham and others in a leadership race to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister.
Streeting will announce a plan to loosen immigration restrictions in order to “attract the best and the brightest minds from around the world” to Britain.
His aides said as leader he would introduce a global talent programme with a target of recruiting 20,000 world-leading scientists, AI experts and engineers over the next three years. The programme would be housed in No 10 and have a budget of £250m.
Streeting said the Trump administration was hostile towards global science and Britain should take advantage.
“We should open our door to the best and the brightest,” he said. “Trump is saying to world-leading scientists, engineers, AI experts – you’re not welcome here. I would tell them: we’ll welcome you with open arms.
“Voters who want lower levels of migration aren’t opposed to inviting tomorrow’s Nobel prize winners to make their discoveries here in Britain.”
Streeting’s second policy proposal centres around the controversial prospect of new North Sea oil and gasfields being given the green light by the government.
The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has come under huge pressure from the oil industry and opposition parties to allow production at the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields.
Streeting will say that tax receipts from the two new fields should be hypothecated and used to fund initiatives that cut energy bills and emissions.
“Businesses and households are held back by high energy costs,” he said. “The tax receipts from new North Sea oil and gasfields should be funnelled into cheaper energy: insulation, heat pumps, and electrification to cut bills and emissions.
“Opponents of the North Sea [drilling] say it sets the wrong example to the world. But the worst example we can set is that net zero can only be delivered on the backs of the poor and working people’s jobs. This is the route to Nigel Farage walking into Downing Street and destroying our renewables industry.”
Those who are against allowing new production argue it will imperil international emissions targets, undermine the UK’s climate leadership and encourage developing countries to exploit their own fossil fuel reserves.
On Thursday, Burham will stand in the Makerfield byelection and bookmakers are offering odds of 1/7 on him winning. The mayor of Greater Manchester intends to put public control of water and energy at the heart of his agenda should he become prime minister.
