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5 September 2016

Theresa May bursts the Brexit bubble on immigration and the NHS

The PM has broken her silence to pour cold water on key Brexit pledges.

By Julia Rampen

Theresa May has cast doubt on key Brexit promises after she refused to confirm the pledges for an Australian-style immigration points system and £100m more funding a week for the NHS.

Instead, as she headed off for the G20 summit in China, she warned that a points-based immigration system would not be “a silver bullet”.

Nevertheless, May has previously also dismissed ideas of a second referendum, stating: “Brexit means Brexit”. 

The promises to control immigration and increase healthcare funding were believed to be among the most popular made by Brexiteers. According to Lord Ashcroft polls, a third of those who voted to Leave said the main reason was getting more control over borders and immigration.

May’s comments come as MPs prepare to debate a public petition calling for a re-run of the EU referendum. More than 4m have signed it.

David Davis, the minister for Brexit, is also expected to lay out the progress towards negotiations to quit the EU made over the summer. The cabinet met last week to discuss Brexit negotiations and social mobility.

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