Jim Murphy says Britain needs "firm and fair immigration system

• Jim Murphy

He was addressing a conference in Glasgow along with Home Office minister Meg Hillier amid an ongoing overhaul of the immigration system.

Britain needs a "firm but fair" immigration system, he said, after the UK Government published a white paper on the issue last summer.

Mr Murphy said: "It reflects the need for new immigrants to accept core British values – to obey the law, speak English and pay taxes.

"It must be a something for something society. Immigrants have to buy into this set of fair and responsible values."

Many Scots have "misgivings" about the system being abused or "queue-jumping" in the welfare state, Mr Murphy said.

The Government's current "three-pronged" approach includes tightening the current points-based system and strengthening borders through the use of biometric visas and electronic controls.

In addition, there will be clearer expectations of what is expected from non-EU immigrants to gain full citizenship. They have to serve a period of "probationary" citizenship while serious criminals will find themselves deported. There will also be a duty to learn English.

Mr Murphy said: "It's in no-one's interest if new immigrants can't speak the world's most popular language when they come to live here.

"Speaking English breaks down barriers and speeds integration. It's good for them and it's good for Britain. It's a fair thing to demand of those who want to settle here."

Immigration is not an issue for "fringe parties nor a taboo subject," he

added.

Mr Murphy drew a clear distinction between immigrants who come to the UK from abroad to work and asylum seekers fleeing persecution from brutal overseas regimes.

He accepted the "turmoil" caused through the the use of dawn raids to remove failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland earlier today, he said: "I'd love to see those things phased out.

"It's not something I enjoy. I know it puts people through a lot of turmoil but in some circumstances I think its unavoidable.

"When an individual simply refuses to leave and is going to abscond, then I think we have to take some action."