“The abolition of exit checks by Conservative and Labour Governments means that we can only guess at the numbers coming in and out,” said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary.

Commenting on today’s Office for National Statistics migration figures, Chris Huhne said:

“Public confidence and trust in the migration system has been shattered by decades of mismanagement.

“The abolition of exit checks by Conservative and Labour Governments means that we can only guess at the numbers coming in and out.

“People over-staying on short-term visas are probably the biggest source of illegal immigration and we still cannot say whether they are leaving when they are meant to do so.

“Exit checks must be reintroduced immediately.”

Luton South PPC Cllr. Qurban Hussain welcomed Chris Huhnes remarks saying:

“We need to have a clear information on who is coming in and out of our country. People deserve to know this information and I fully support Chri’s remarks which reflect the concerns of many residents in our community in Luton South.”