As a Home Office Minister, Karen debated the Government's position on immigration in the House today. Responding to backbench MPs' proposals on Border Controls, Karen explained the work that the Government has done to reduce immigration.
She said later:
"I was pleased to have the opportunity to explain the progess we have made on immmigration. I was able to mention the fact that Staffordshire Moorlands has not been affected by large-scale immigration, with only 200 more people living here in 2013 compared with the year 2004, but the Government knows the issue is as important to Moorlanders as it is to the rest of the country."
Karen told the Commons how actions tightening immigration routes where abuse was rife, stopping people from claiming benefits as soon as they arrive, cracking down on those here illegally and asking temporary migrants to make a contribution to the NHS have all helped reduce net immigration from outside the EU by a quarter since the last election.
She added:
"I also mentioned my aim to make sure we are sharing information to identify foreign criminals in the UK. We need some immigration, but it's vital that the police in Leek should have the same information about people living here that overseas forces have about them."