World Immigration News

Badenoch says more children, not immigration, will help with ageing population

Release Date: 2025-05-04
Media: The Guardian
Summary: UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has suggested that increasing the birthrate is a better solution to the country’s ageing population than relying on immigration, which she claims makes the UK “poorer.” Speaking on BBC, she emphasized the need to address demographic challenges and hinted at potential future policies to encourage families to have more children.

Her comments were criticized by former education secretary Justine Greening, who argued the focus should be on improving outcomes for existing children rather than promoting higher birthrates.

Badenoch has previously faced backlash for calling maternity pay “excessive,” though she later clarified her support for it. Despite promoting smaller government, she has recently acknowledged the need to support families who want to have children.

The UK’s birthrate has fallen to historic lows, with just 591,072 babies born in 2023. Badenoch’s stance is shared by fellow Conservative Robert Jenrick, who emphasized housing and childcare as key areas to help reverse the trend.
Tags: UK

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