I know how much concern there is in North Warwickshire and Bedworth about the impact illegal migration is having on our country.
This is not an easy problem to solve, and I would treat with caution those politicians who tell people there are simple solutions that can fix this overnight. The truth is that the criminal gangs are well entrenched and making millions from this crisis. International cooperation has been difficult to secure since Brexit terminated the existing returns agreement and soured our relationship with Europe. And the world has become a more dangerous and unstable place, pushing even more people to flee their home countries.
The government has already taken strong steps to tackle the people smuggling gangs, including securing vital new agreements with France and ramping up of immigration enforcement at home. This has enabled us to remove 50,000 people with no right to be here since the general election last July, including a 23% increase in enforced returns and a 14% increase in the removal of foreign criminals compared to under the Conservatives. The message is clear: if you break the rules, there will be consequences.
But it is also clear that further changes are needed to the system, to deter dangerous crossings and restore order. That is why the Home Secretary has announced a number of major changes this week to the asylum system, to toughen up the rules and ensure that Britain is not seen as a soft touch when compared to our European neighbours.
- Asylum status in the UK will no longer be permanent, with those with a legitimate claim to sanctuary granted a temporary status that must be reviewed every 30 months. Those whose home country is deemed safe at the point of review must return to that country, or face removal.
- The right to stay in Britain will be changed from automatic to being dependent on contribution. Refugees must be resident in the UK for 20 years before they can apply for permanent settlement, the highest level in Europe. Only those who can prove they are working, studying, and contributing will earn the right to settle more quickly.
- Human rights laws will be overhauled to ensure they are not being used to exploit the system. The public interest will be given greater weight in the cases of foreign offenders, and those making human rights claims will have to make a single consolidated claim, to prevent the lodging of multiple further claims when the first is unsuccessful.
- Asylum accommodation rules will be tightened, so that valuable items like cars and e-bikes can be seized to contribute to costs. The government remains committed to closing all asylum hotels by the end of this parliament and is beginning to move asylum seekers into more appropriate former military accommodation sites.
- Countries that block the UK from deporting foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers will face visa penalties. The government has already begun the process of sanctioning Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for failing to cooperate on removals.
Taken together, these measures are the biggest overhaul of the asylum system in decades and show that Labour is serious about ensuring that we restore border security, return order to the system, and rebuild public confidence.
So please know that as your MP I will continue to stand up for an asylum system that is firm, fair, and fast.