THE Conservatives will propose an annual cap on worker and family visas in a bid to ensure immigration figures fall year on year in a future parliament.
More than 10,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel and immigration has become a key campaign battleground.
The proposed plan would give Parliament a direct role in setting levels of migration, with MPs having a vote on the number.
Sunak said: “We have taken bold action to cut the number of people coming to this country. The plan is working but migration levels are still too high, so we are going further.
“Labour’s migrant amnesty will make the UK a global magnet for illegal immigrants and they have no plan to reduce net migration, while we have a clear plan to stop the boats and put a legal cap on numbers.
“The Conservatives are the only party that is willing take the bold action needed to cut immigration figures.”
The annual cap would be imposed on the number of visas that can be granted to those coming to the UK on work or family routes.
Temporary work routes, such as seasonal agricultural workers, would not fall within the cap.
Sunak's announcement appeared time to respond to Nigel Farage making the shock decision to become leader of Reform and stand for election in Clacton while fighting an immigration-focused campaign.
He previously said he would not make an eighth attempt to become an MP.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper (below) described Sunak's plans as "meaningless".
"All they are doing now is rehashing failed announcements from David Cameron and Theresa May, while doing nothing to tackle the skills shortages and their failures in the economy and immigration system which have pushed net migration up.
"Why should anyone take seriously a promise the Tories have already repeatedly broken?
"Labour's plan to bring net migration down will link the immigration system with new mandatory training and workforce plans for British workers, and stop rogue employers hiring from abroad."
John Swinney has already hit out however at the current "hostility towards migration" following Keir Starmer's recent pledge to cut net migration.
