Commenting on plans unveiled by the government that businesses will be forced to reveal how many foreign staff they employ, Liberal Democrat Leader Tim Farron said:

“The Government’s plan on foreign workers is a nasty little policy that deserves to be thrown out on the rubbish heap. This threatens to further stoke the resentment that has seen increases in hate crime across our country. Only the Liberal Democrats are fighting to keep Britain open, tolerant and united.

This policy has also shown that Conservatives are now not the party of business, the Liberal Democrats are. But this issue is about more than that, it’s about what sort of society we are.

Instead of backing away from the fight, the Liberal Democrats will oppose this plan and stand proud in our belief that immigration benefits our culture, our economy and our communities.”