Debate 'over immigration cap plans'

Business secretary Vince Cable has said any sanction imposed on non-European Union (EU) immigration needs to be flexible.

Denying a conflict within the coalition, Mr Cable did admit there is a "debate" in the cabinet over the plans.

Last month, home secretary Theresa May announced the government would be introducing a temporary cap on the number of immigrants coming to the UK from outside the EU.

By April 2011, it is thought the number of non-EU workers could drop by around five per cent to 24,100.

Prime minister David Cameron told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme that it was perfectly "legitimate" for Mr Cable to argue his case.

"I want to see, and the government wants to see, the level of net immigration into the UK come down to the tens of thousands, rather than the hundreds of thousands it's been in recent years."

He added: "I think we need to control immigration more effectively in Britain. I do want a cap."

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