David Cameron ’ s pledge to crack down on immigration is no longer taken seriously by the Office for Budget Responsibility . The Prime Minister had promised to reduce net migration to the ‘ tens of thousands ’ by the General Election . However , last month that vow was shattered when figures showed it had hit a record high . David Cameron ’ s pledge to reduce net migration to the ‘ tens of thousands ’ is no longer taken seriously by the Office for Budget Responsibility . Home Secretary Theresa May later insisted the Tories would restate the failed target to slash net migration to fewer than 100,000 if they returned to Government . But yesterday the OBR heaped embarrassment on ministers by criticising the prediction . In a document published alongside the Budget , it said its previous forecasts had been ‘ underpinned by the assumption ’ that net migration – the measure of how many people have come into Britain minus those who have left – would be 105,000 by 2019 . Theresa May said Tories would slash net migration to fewer than 100,000 if they stayed in power . It stated : ‘ A reduction over time seems consistent with the international environment and with the Government ’ s declared efforts to reduce it. ’ But in a blow to Mr Cameron , it added : ‘ In light of recent evidence , it no longer seems central to assume it will decline so steeply. ’ Instead , it said net migration would ‘ tend towards 165,000 in the long term ’ . On taking power in 2010 , Mr Cameron pledged to bring the politically-sensitive net migration figure below 100,000 . But last month the figure hit 300,000 – fuelled in large part by net migration from outside the EU of 190,000 . Downing Street described the figures as a ‘ disappointment ’ but also a reflection of a growing economy . The highest number previously recorded was 600,000 in September 2010 . When Mr Cameron entered Downing Street in May 2010 net migration was running at 244,000 . Shadow immigration minister David Hanson said : ‘ David Cameron ’ s “ no ifs , no buts ” pledge on net migration is in complete tatters ; not even the Office of Budget Responsibility believes the Prime Minister ’ s promise any more and are now planning for it to be broken . ‘ If you needed any more evidence that this government simply can ’ t be trusted to deliver their promises on immigration , this is it . ’
PM promised to reduce net migration to ‘ tens of thousands ’ by the election . But vow was shattered when figures last month showed it hit record high . Theresa May then vowed to cut number to 165,000 if Tories stay in power . But OBR said net migration would ‘ tend towards 100,000 in the long term ’