Never before has the Conservative Party Conference caused a nationwide furore, but that's what happened when Home Secretary Amber Rudd unveiled plans for companies to publish the number of non-EU staff employed by them with the possibility of “naming and shaming” firms.
"I come here today with a warning to those that simply oppose any steps to reduce net migration. This government will not waver in its commitment to put the interests of the British people first. Reducing net migration back down to sustainable levels will not be easy. But I am committed to delivering it on behalf of the British people,” she told the conference. "The test should ensure people coming here are filling gaps in the labour market, not taking jobs British people could do. So I want us to look again at whether our immigration system provides the right incentives for businesses to invest in British workers,” she added. Ms Rudd also announced a further crackdown on illegal immigration through new powers to go after landlords, employers and banks.
Within hours of the speech, she faced a backlash from politicians and businesses alike with Labour saying it will "fan the flames of xenophobia and hatred in our communities" and the SNP called it "the most disgraceful display of reactionary right-wing politics in living memory”. Business leaders described the policy as divisive and damaging.
Among animosity, the public accused her of being racist, to which she hit back saying "don't call me a racist" for talking about immigration. Days later Education Secretary Justine Greening said the Government's proposal to make companies reveal the numbers of foreign workers they employ would not be made public. Speaking on ITV Greening said “This is not data that will be published. There will be absolutely no naming and shaming. This is about informing policy, so that we understand particularly which areas and parts of the country there are skills shortages, evidenced by the fact employers are not taking local workers as much as they might do.”
In the midst of the storm, Steve Hilton the former director of strategy for David Cameron called on Amber Rudd to be removed from her position as Home Secretary following her comments on immigration. Appearing on ITV's The Agenda Hilton said: “Theresa May needs to send a really clear signal to the world that this idea - that has been noticed around the world of forcing companies to name and shame foreign workers - was a mistake. A powerful way to do that would be to move the minister who made the announcement... I think it's important to correct this mistake because it has had a big impact on Britain's reputation around the world.”
After over a week in the storm, Amber Rudd dropped her proposal as the government did a U-turn.
