The Mayor of London has criticised an “anti-London policy” from the Conservatives on immigration.

Sadiq Khan said that the policies set out by the Conservatives “would make all Londoners poorer” and that it would stifle jobs and growth for businesses.

The policies released in the Conservative manifesto spoke of reducing net migration to tens of thousands, and doubling the Immigration Skills Charge to £2,000 a year to companies who employ overseas workers, which will be put towards high skills training for UK workers.

Mr Khan said: “These Tory immigration policies are totally unworkable and will cause huge damage to London's economy.

“This is yet another anti-London policy from the most anti-London government since Margaret Thatcher.”

Conservative candidate for Chipping Barnet Theresa Villiers said the party want to secure the rights of EU nationals living here, which is “in tune with mainstream thinking in this country.”

She said: “Whilst immigration brings economic benefits, we need to bring the overall numbers down to more sustainable levels.

“The Conservative plan is for a new system which ends free movement but still enables us to recruit the brightest and the best from Europe and around the world.”

Liberal Democrat candidate for Hendon Alasdair Hill said it is the government’s responsibility to make training and apprenticeships available for Londoners, which should be the focus rather than “bringing up the draw bridge for worldwide talent.”

He said: "As someone who is married to a French national I find the way in which the Tories talk down the contribution immigrants make to our society, through their skills, investment and tax receipts, deeply depressing.

“Immigration has made London the successful world city that it is today and the plans to cut immigration to the size of Mill Hill or Hendon, nationwide, is nothing short of an economic own goal.”