Bill Morris has urged the UK to take the lead on the issue of managed migration.

Morris, the general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, called on ministers to use the new Immigration and Citizenship Bill to take the lead on the issue of managed migration.

Addressing the TUC Black Workers' Conference on Friday, Morris said economic migrants contribute more than they take out of the economy and that Britain should lead the debate on the issue.

"They are on the move looking for a better life. The truth is that for generations, developed countries have plundered and pillaged under developed countries of their resources. For generations we have exported our poverty, our unemployment to them."

"We cannot say 'go away, we are full up'. Now is the time for Britain to take a leadership role in Europe, arguing the case for managed migration on the basis of burden sharing," he said.