Sadiq Khan Delivers Stark Warning on Immigration and Economic Impact
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a forceful intervention in the immigration debate, warning that "the relentless demonisation of immigrants" poses a significant threat to the capital's economic future. Speaking at a Fabian Society event on Saturday, January 24, Khan urged a fundamental reset of the national conversation, moving away from what he described as "hysteria, hatred and fearmongering".
Economic Growth Plan Under Threat
The Mayor revealed that London has an ambitious strategy to boost its economy by £107 billion by 2035, but cautioned that this target could be jeopardised by the recent sharp decline in net migration. His warning comes amid concerning data showing substantial drops in visa applications for essential workers.
Official figures indicate that applications for the health and care worker visa plummeted by just over half (51%) in 2025, falling from 123,300 in 2024 to only 61,000. Similarly, skilled worker visa applications decreased by 36%, from 132,700 to 85,500. These reductions follow policy changes implemented by the Labour government, including the cessation of overseas care worker recruitment and an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers to £41,700.
Confronting Far-Right Rhetoric
Khan directly criticised the rising tide of far-right populism across Europe and the United States, singling out political movements including France's National Rally, Germany's AfD, the Netherlands' PVV, and Italy's Brothers of Italy. He described former US President Donald Trump's recent claim about Europe facing "civilisational erasure" as "preposterous".
Turning to domestic politics, the Mayor accused both Reform UK and the Conservative Party of "dancing to the same tune", promoting what he called a dystopian and false narrative about London. "They paint a dystopian picture of London as a city that's fallen," Khan stated. "And let's be frank - they do so because they can't stand what London represents - a city that's diverse, progressive and thriving, with a Mayor who happens to be a Muslim."
Demographic and Policy Challenges
The Mayor emphasised the practical consequences of reduced immigration for an ageing population with a shrinking workforce. He argued that progressives must lead a new conversation based on "an honest assessment of the migration we need", recognising the substantial benefits it brings to society and the economy.
Additional immigration data reveals further challenges: study visa applications dropped from 618,900 in 2023 to 447,900 in 2025, following Conservative policies that restricted most overseas students from bringing dependants to the UK. Khan condemned the political strategy of blaming immigrants for societal problems as "cruel, callous and deeply dangerous".
A Call for Progressive Leadership
In his concluding remarks, Khan positioned London as living proof that diversity and prosperity can coexist successfully. "The fact that this is the greatest city in the world makes a mockery of their entire worldview," he declared, referring to critics of immigration. The Mayor called for vigorous opposition to narratives that portray diversity as inherently negative, asserting that such rhetoric deliberately pits citizens against one another for political gain.
Khan's speech represents one of his most comprehensive interventions on immigration policy to date, framing the issue not just through social justice lenses but as a fundamental economic imperative for London's future growth and stability.
