Migration

Question

Cooper asked about prosecutions for criminal gangs involved in deadly channel crossings. She questioned the effectiveness of convictions against smugglers, highlighting a significant discrepancy in gang dismantling figures reported by the Minister and Home Secretary. She criticised the response to the criminal industry, the level of involvement of national crime agencies in joint intelligence cells, and queried whether returns and family reunion agreements were discussed with France.

Question

Jenkinson inquired about communication issues with Serco regarding accommodation procurement in his constituency. He emphasised the need for improved engagement and timely notifications to local authorities.

Question

The £120 million wasted on the Rwanda plan could have quadrupled the number of caseworkers and cleared asylum backlogs. The Home Secretary should focus on practical solutions, such as increasing safe and legal routes for migration, instead of pursuing policies like the Rwanda deal that are counterproductive. ITV’s documentary highlighted the urgent need to prioritise saving lives over jurisdictional disputes.

Question

System-wide reform of asylum processes is needed. There has been a lack of engagement with local authorities regarding the influx of migrants, especially in Torbay. Can the minister confirm that such engagements will now resume?

Question

How is foreign aid being spent to support refugees in this country? Is it morally justifiable to divert funds meant for global poverty reduction towards internal migration management?

Question

A new migrant hotel was set up in my constituency without proper notification or detail provision. Local people were displaced from the same facility used by the local authority for temporary accommodation. This is untenable and will cause local anger.

Question

Does the Minister agree that illegal entry should not allow asylum applications? This is supported by measures in the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, which we are reviewing to meet current challenges.

Question

Most Opposition parties lack credibility on this issue due to their criticism of every legal measure proposed. My constituents ask why we cannot turn back small boats in the channel. Can law be changed for this?

Question

Critiques the current policy for asylum seekers being housed in budget hotels, highlighting the cruelty of indefinite detention and lack of work opportunities despite willingness. Asks whether this is a failed policy.

Question

Compliments the Minister and expresses readiness to support necessary legislative changes to protect asylum seekers while securing borders.

Question

Asks about an independent public inquiry into a tragic drowning incident involving migrants crossing the Channel, which has not been announced despite evidence suggesting it occurred in UK waters.

Question

Expresses frustration with Stoke-on-Trent's role in housing asylum seekers, citing concerns over local services depletion and radicalism presence. Requests an end to the use of hotels for this purpose.

Question

Inquires about the Home Secretary's stance on extending the seasonal agricultural worker scheme, proposed by a former Prime Minister.

Question

Highlights long wait times for asylum seekers to have their cases reviewed and asks about measures to expedite this process.

Question

Critiques the Home Office's actions regarding offshore wind workers, suggesting that UK seafarers are being replaced by cheaper foreign labour.

Question

Proposes setting specific timeframes for hotel accommodations based on the processing of asylum applications, aiming to incentivize quicker resolution and community confidence.

Question

Requests parity in funding for local authorities supporting asylum seekers and calls for a 'homes for refugees' scheme.

Question

On addressing the illegal crossings, the Minister said that the new initiative would cost about £72 million. In 019, when I was on the Select Committee on Home Affairs, we were told that the joint co-ordination centre with France would help to address individuals illegally crossing. Did that system work? How much did it cost? How will the new system work better than the previous system?

Question

The Home Office is spending millions on the Rwanda scheme, on the new border scheme with France and on hotel bills, but I am told by a council with a hotel in its area that it has yet to receive any money from the Home Office. Serious concerns have been expressed by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales about the welfare of migrant children in hotels. How is the Home Office working with Welsh local authorities and health trusts?

Question

Senior police officers in my constituency tell me that Albanian gangs are orchestrating serious organised crime and the drugs trade. Does the Minister recognise that some of those who cross in small boats and subsequently abscond when they arrive in this country are playing a part in fuelling a crime epidemic?

Question

Will the Minister inform the House whether commercial operators are willing to facilitate their Rwanda policy? Privilege Style has joined Titan Airways and AirTanker in stating that it will not participate in deportation flights. Is it not the reality that commercial operators are turning their back on the Government’s immoral policy?

Question

When our own citizens form a queue at border control, does the Minister agree that it makes a complete and utter mockery of our border control systems when people arrive illegally and are then put up in hotels across the country? When will we implement the Rwanda plan?

Question

Does my right hon. Friend share my grave concerns about the radio chatter recorded just this week by one of my constituents? It records a high level of co-operation between the French navy and UK Border Force as the French navy escorts migrants through French waters to be picked up on our side of the median line.

Question

EU nations are safe. Does my right hon. Friend agree that eligible asylum seekers should claim asylum in the first safe country where they arrive? When will we be able to spend Home Office funding on fighting crime?

Question

Peterborough supports more asylum seekers than any other town or city in the east of England. Will the Minister outline the criteria by which the Home Office will award longer-term contracts for hotel accommodation? Will he listen to me, my local council, the local police, local health support services and local refugee charities about why the Great Northern Hotel is so inappropriate?

Question

As if the acquisition of the Best Western Buckingham Hotel were not bad enough, Buckinghamshire Council learned at third hand from a London borough just this morning that an asylum seeker who is under investigation for a very serious offence was transferred to the asylum hotel in Buckingham by the Metropolitan Police but was not escorted into the premises and has since gone missing. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that process is wholly unacceptable?

Question

On 23 September, when crossing the channel legally, I spotted the French warship Athos behaving very strangely. It was circling a small open boat full of people.

Question

Expressed concerns about Albanian organised crime gangs ferrying young men to the UK illegally, claiming asylum, and being transported by the Home Office. Criticised a proposal for housing up to 150 Albanian single males in Kettering's town centre hotel with no kitchen facilities.

Question

Asked about steps being taken by the Home Office to support local tourism economies affected by hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.

Question

Inquired about additional resources being allocated for processing asylum applications quickly and efficiently.

Question

Suggested studying Australia's approach to illegal immigration and welcomed the Rwanda scheme, asking about timescale and engagement with Australian officials.