Nigel Farage blasts Keir Starmer for claiming Reform UK's migration plans are racist

Nigel Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of desperation after the Prime Minister claimed Reform UK's plans for cracking down on immigration were racist. The Reform UK leader lashed out as the row over tackling immigration descended into acrimony.

His furious outburst came after Sir Keir provoked public anger when he used the term to dismiss his rival's plans to deport hundreds of thousands of legal migrants. In his most outspoken attack yet, the Labour leader also claimed Mr Farage's policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain was "immoral" and would "tear Britain apart". But Mr Farage accused the Prime Minister of desperation because of his dismal poll ratings.

He told the Daily Express: "Starmer thinks anybody here on a time-limited visa is entitled to stay in Britain forever.

"Labour do not believe in border controls - and think anyone who does is racist.

"This is a desperate attack from a man sinking in the opinion polls and leading a divided party."

It is the first time the gloves have properly come off between the two parties that are expected to fight out the next general election.

Labour has dramatically slumped in the polls since its landslide general election victory 14 months ago, with the migrant crisis largely to blame.

More than 50,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Sir Keir entered No 10.

During that time, Reform UK's popularity has surged.

An Ipsos poll last week had Reform UK on 34%, Labour on 22% and the Conservatives on 14%.

Last week, Mr Farage announced plans to force non-EU migrants with permanent residency to reapply for visas under stricter criteria, including a higher salary requirement and a better standard of English.

Sir Keir took a swipe at the plans during an interview with the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg as he kicked off the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.

"What was said last week about deporting migrants who are lawfully here, who've been here for years, working in our hospitals, in our schools, running businesses, our neighbours, and Reform say they want to deport them. That would tear our country apart," he said.

Asked if he thought the policy was racist, the Prime Minister replied: "Well, I do think that it's a racist policy.

"I do think it's immoral, it needs to be called out for what it is."

Zia Yusuf, Reform's policy chief, hit back, saying: "Labour's message to the country is clear: pay hundreds of billions for foreign nationals to live off the state forever, or Labour will call you racist."

Labour is proposing to make it harder for migrants to get permanent settlement by extending the time before they are granted it from five to up to 10 years.

There will be tougher requirements, including on earnings, tax, higher English language standards and contribution to British society.

Sir Keir also said he would put an end to taxpayer-funded taxis for asylum seekers travelling to doctor's appointments "as soon as we can". "It shouldn't be happening. It's not fair," he added.

Pressed on whether this would be ended immediately, he said: "As soon as we can, but we will stop it."

Sir Keir said he would like to bring forward the 2029 deadline that the Government has set to close all asylum hotels, saying: "I'm looking at alternative accommodation and doing everything we can to bring that forward."

The clash over immigration came as Sir Keir desperately tries to shore up his teetering leadership, with rivals on manoeuvres and unions demanding a lurch to the Left to curb the poll slide.

The mutinous mood is darkening with a nightmare Budget looming on November 26.

Sir Keir used the BBC interview to insist his controversial plan for digital ID cards would help tackle illegal migration.

His latest big idea, something long backed by his ally Tony Blair, was announced last week but has been met with a furious backlash.

It has been opposed by the Tories, Reform, the Lib Dems and some Labour MPs for being ineffective and infringing civil liberties.

A Parliamentary petition calling for the concept to be dropped has been signed by more than 2.1million people.

Sir Keir told the BBC: "I am absolutely convinced that amongst the reasons people travel through France ... is because it is easier to work in our economy than it is in other countries."

Challenged why employers who were currently not carrying out legally required checks would take more notice of a digital ID, Sir Keir said: "The difference is this is on point of starting, not a retrospective exercise as it now is."