Essex MP Priti Patel has called for new immigration controls to help protect Britain’s public services and labour market from low-skilled immigrants.

During a debate in parliament today the Witham MP cited statistics showing that the number of non-UK born residents in Essex has increased by 50% since 2004 to 104,000.

She also highlighted cases of constituents, who she said had “outstayed their welcome” through multiple applications and appeals.

She raised the case of a family from Nigeria who were in the UK without any right to remain, saying: “They were informed that they should leave the UK two years ago, but they, too, embarked on a series of applications and appeals. Such actions are all about delay and prolonging the process for people who have no right whatever to remain in the country. That undermines public confidence in the immigration system. A stop must be put to repeated applications and appeals.”