Illegal Immigration

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It was an accident.

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Mr. Starmer thanked the Prime Minister for his statement and criticised the government for not providing serious solutions to illegal migration despite repeated promises. He pointed out that over 40,000 people have crossed the channel this year with only 2% having their asylum claim processed, highlighting the issue of a backlog and calling for more action against criminal gangs.

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Mrs. May thanked the Prime Minister for his statement and emphasised the need for rapid processing of asylum claims while distinguishing human trafficking from people smuggling as separate crimes.

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Mr. Flynn welcomed some of the Prime Minister's statements but expressed concerns about proposed legislation, accommodation proposals, and the one-size-fits-all approach towards asylum seekers from Albania. He asked if the Prime Minister had consulted with the UN High Commissioner on Refugees.

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Mr. Bottomley supported the government's stance on illegal immigration, questioning how people can be safe and their status determined.

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Inquires about the government's plan for sufficient staffing and productivity increase in decision-making units, given the current backlog of 150,000 cases and staff attrition rate of 46%. She also questions how productivity will be tripled.

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Compliments the Prime Minister's initiatives with France and Albania and asks if a pan-European approach is necessary to solve the problem.

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Asks why the ban on asylum seekers working will not be lifted, given that it does not act as a pull factor for immigrants.

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Welcomes today’s announcements and asks about the importance of the Rwanda flights.

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Questions how the Prime Minister plans to achieve his goals given the high attrition rate among caseworkers.

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Supports the measures and asks for safe and legal routes, including Dubs 2 scheme for unaccompanied children in peril.

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Critiques the Prime Minister's decision to remove 'gold-plating' from the modern slavery system, questioning its impact on protecting victims.

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Claims that most individuals arriving via small boats are economic migrants, not genuine refugees.

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Inquires about the doubling of caseworkers and if the new Albanian team of 400 forms part of this increase.

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Urges for better decision-making in the Home Office regarding accommodation for Albanian migrants.

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Asks if the UN High Commissioner for Refugees supports the proposed measures.

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Suggests reactivating the detained fast-track procedure to improve efficiency of the tribunal system.

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Proposes removing the rule requiring renewal of indefinite leave to remain every 30 months.

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Supports tackling criminal gangs upstream and increasing funding for Operation Invigor at the National Crime Agency.

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Asks if proposed Bills or policies breaching international conventions should be rejected outright.

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Encourages extending guidance for processing decisions to other countries such as Vietnam.

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Highlights concerns about safeguarding children in immigration hotels and seeks transparency on housing families separately.

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Proposes urging UN for annual Heads of Government conference focusing on global migration issues.

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References Enver Solomon's comments about ensuring timely and fair decisions for asylum seekers.

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Suggests differentiating economic migrants from genuine refugees through bypassing notwithstanding formula in ECHR.

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When my mother fled war and famine in Biafra in the 1960s with her three small children, the cargo plane on which we travelled—the only form of transport available—landed first in Lisbon, as Portugal was the only country that recognised Biafra at the time. Does the Prime Minister think that we should have been obliged to remain in that relatively safe country, or does he agree with my mother that it was better to travel on to Newcastle, where my grandmother lived?

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I congratulate the Prime Minister on targeted and practical measures. Does he agree that what he proposes is entirely consistent with our international obligations and, in particular, entirely consistent with our obligations under the European convention on human rights and the European Human Rights Act? Is it not better to concentrate on practical measures, rather than upending our domestic human rights legislation, which frankly would be a wasteful red herring?

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I express my heartfelt sympathies to the people of Solihull following this week’s terrible disaster. We all know what today’s announcement is: a sop to the right-wing press. It continues the Prime Minister’s obsession with scapegoating asylum seekers. Fast-tracking applications and weakening modern slavery protections directly undermine Wales’s nation of sanctuary policy, which includes an explicit commitment to prevent people seeking sanctuary from becoming victims of modern slavery. What discussions has he had with the Welsh Government to guarantee that fast-tracking will not frustrate our ambition to be a proper nation of sanctuary?

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I warmly welcome the package of measures announced today, because this is the key issue on the doorstep in my constituency. It is something voters care about very deeply. The package being put together is very strong and, as my right hon. Friend says, it complements the Rwanda agreement. Can he just confirm, however, that if it is, like the Rwanda agreement, ultimately frustrated by the European convention on human rights, we will rule nothing out, including derogation, to ensure we can deliver this vital package?

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The Prime Minister said we will restart data sharing to stop migrants getting bank accounts. Who are we going to be restarting data sharing with and why did we stop?

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I am very pleased to hear about the new approach to Albanians, which is both obvious and very sensible. My question to the Prime Minister is on how we bridge the gap. We approve 76% of all asylum applications, but the EU average is just 14%. We are all ECHR signatories. They are not held out as international pariahs or as breaking any abstract of international law. The Prime Minister may be surprised to hear that I have no issue with the ambit of the ECHR as long as we have an outcome of about 14%, too. What has been going wrong with our approvals and refusals process?

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The white list of countries designated safe is not new, and Albania has been on that list since 2014, so there is nothing new about this announcement. I welcome the clearing of the backlog. The Prime Minister just said that he knew that workers would be employed within the next nine to 12 months, and the whole backlog would be cleared from the current 100,000—it was 3,000 when Labour was in power—in the same 12 months. So without the immigration workers there, how will this circle be squared and how will be the backlog be cleared?

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I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement and for the new approach on Albania. As much as I welcome the jobs, will my right hon. Friend confirm that this will be a temporary, not permanent, new small boats operational command centre in Dover and east Kent? In relation to safe countries and immediate returns, will my right hon. Friend update the House on whether a date has been set for the summit with President Macron next year?

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Yesterday I led a delegation of the Joint Committee on Human Rights to the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. One of the issues we discussed was the importance of all Council of Europe states addressing migration issues in accordance with human rights and international law. International refugee law does not require asylum seekers to make their claim in the first safe country and it protects asylum seekers arriving via irregular or unofficial routes, provided they make their presence known to the authorities. Can the Prime Minister give me an undertaking that his new laws will comply with the United Kingdom’s international law and human rights obligations, and if not, can he tell us from which treaties he intends to derogate? Or is it simply his intention to flout international law and, if that is the case, what kind of example does he think that sets to other countries, particularly on Europe’s eastern border?

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It is rare in this House to agree with every single sentiment, impulse and word, but I did today. Will the Prime Minister automatically assume that a claim for asylum is spurious or doubtful if people travel across safe countries before claiming?

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Why has the Government lost control of the asylum and immigration system? Will he confirm that the whole backlog of initial asylum decisions will be cleared by the end of next year? When does he expect to remove from the country those asylum seekers who have failed in their applications?

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Does he agree that returning hotels currently housing asylum seekers to their normal use will be seen as a measure of success? Will this be made a priority?

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Is the Prime Minister's approach fair and efficient? Why are there only eight staff processing 11,000 asylum applications from Afghanistan while 500 new staff were found for Albania?

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Are there plans to examine processes used by other states for dealing with asylum issues within the law? Will he work with those countries on safe and legal routes?

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While the Prime Minister might be okay with his cheerleaders in here, I think he is out of touch. Which decisions made while the PM was around the Cabinet table would he point to as the reason why the backlog is now 14 times bigger than when Labour left office?

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Thanking my right hon. Friend for measures outlined today and his personal determination to find practical solutions to a very real problem. In her constituency the Home Office has identified a disused building for dispersal accommodation. Will he make sure that the Home Office listens to local authority, police and public health concerns?

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Decanting asylum seekers from hotels does not solve the problem. When can I tell them that they will be allowed to start their legal process of immigration?

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Warmly welcoming the Prime Minister’s action plan to tackle small boat crossings. Kettering's Royal Hotel has been designated as an asylum hotel; will the PM reassure my constituents that his plan announced today will be the quickest way to end the use of such hotel accommodation?

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Many asylum seekers across Teesside have been waiting for years for their applications to be processed. How many of them can expect a decision in the next few months?

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Congratulates the Minister on the agreement with Albania and inquires about measures to prevent people from concealing their true country of origin upon arrival, especially considering issues with channel crossings where people dispose of ID documents.

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Asks why certain individuals from Afghanistan are waiting a long time for family reunions, criticises the Prime Minister's safe and legal routes as ineffective, and points out that many people come in boats because there is no legal route.

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Welcomes the Prime Minister's statement and inquires about remaining open-minded to extend or tighten regulations as necessary to respond to people traffickers' ingenuity.

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Inquires about how much of the Prime Minister's announcement will be paid for out of the aid budget.

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Welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement but asks for more financial support to local services impacted by asylum seekers.

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Suggests embedding UK Border Force staff at Pristina airport given the porous border between Albania and Kosovo, which sees millions of crossings annually.

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Thanks the Minister for his work, mentions local support in Ilfracombe for asylum seekers, and asks if reforms will streamline biometrics and interview appointments.

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Thanks the Prime Minister for his statement, suggests using private companies with expertise in preventing illegal crossings, and questions the ability to arrest those landing illegally under current law.

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Discusses a meeting on legal issues related to asylum seekers, the difficulties of arresting illegal arrivals under current legislation, and asks if derogation from the Refugee convention will be considered.

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Thanks the Minister for following up on hotel allocations in Earl Shilton, mentions spending £5.5 million a day on this system, and asks about securing 10,000 spaces.

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Welcomes plans for speedy processing but asks about capacity to move those with successful claims into permanent accommodation or remove unsuccessful claimants.

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I welcome the Prime Minister’s comprehensive statement, including his willingness to reform assessment processes, but may I ask him about accountability? We see many Government processes to improve and achieve a policy outcome, but the public do not see those outcomes achieved. They are worried that officials and agencies are not held properly to account for achieving those objectives. What are his thoughts on achieving the policy outcomes he has outlined today?

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The independent chief inspector of the UK Border Agency found in July 2006 that there was a backlog of between 400,000 and 450,000 cases. On that basis, this announcement is very welcome. I thank the Prime Minister for taking hold of this issue. When will we see an actual reduction in the number of people in hotels across the country? What capacity will we have to maintain those who claim asylum, and who have a valid claim, in facilities other than hotels across the UK?

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I thank the Prime Minister and the Government for their great progress on this immigration action plan, particularly their progress with both the UNHCR and Albania. He will know that delivery is key. In Gloucester, we do not want the situation to be as it was in May 2010, when not only did my Labour predecessor refuse to hand over any casework files, but we subsequently found more than 4,000 asylum cases, some of which had been waiting for resolution for more than 10 years.

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I refer my right hon. Friend to the point made by our right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh). Can he specifically confirm that the legislation to be introduced next year will deal with the impediment set up by the European convention on human rights?

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A person who enters this country illegally should have no right to stay here and should be swiftly deported—it really is as simple as that. I commend the Prime Minister for his bold statement in looking to legislate to that end. Does he agree that starting flights to Rwanda as soon as possible is absolutely integral to delivering this plan?

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I thank the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary for their renewed focus on this really key point, which matters a lot not just to my constituents in Dudley North, but across the country. I will again address the point my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) made and perhaps be a bit more specific with the question. If the Prime Minister’s future legislation is indeed scuppered by an intervention by the judiciary or human rights activists’ lawyers, will he have the political will to still force it through and implement what he intends to do?

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I thank my right hon. Friend for his personal attention to this matter. I welcome his ambition for a fair and effective system rooted in an understanding that the world has changed since the 1950s, but the devil is in the detail. On a practical point, dozens of hotels have short-term—three-month—contracts with the Home Office to deliver emergency accommodation for asylum seekers right across the UK. My concern and my residents’ concern is: will he reassure us, please, that these contracts will not simply be renewed quietly and simply rolled over, but will be subject to the same level of scrutiny that is promised on new contracts, including consultation with the MP, the council and local public services?

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I thank my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister for his significant engagement in recent weeks on this and other issues. For the benefit of my constituents across Workington, can he set out his expected timescales for, first, removal of the threat of unsuitable accommodation in Workington being used, and, secondly, flights leaving the ground to Rwanda?

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I am grateful to the Prime Minister for making this a top priority, and I look forward to backing the legislation in the new year. Turning to the legislation we already have, there are significant powers of detention in the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. Will he look again at how we can implement those, at the very least for those who are accused of committing heinous crimes, particularly against children?

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I very warmly welcome my right hon. Friend’s announcement today, and he is absolutely right. People living in Runnymede and Weybridge want to see fairness in the system, which this announcement will deliver. I particularly welcome the new returns agreement with Albania. Does he agree that what will cut the Gordian knot is having multiple returns agreements with multiple countries, so that when people’s applications are processed and found wanting, they can be returned swiftly?

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I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement and the personal attention he has devoted to this issue. My constituents continue to be concerned about the use of the Novotel in Ipswich, which is on a 12-month contract; I thought it was six, the Home Office told me it was six, but it turned out to be 12—but that is by the bye. I welcome the move towards cheaper and more basic accommodation, but can the Prime Minister indicate when my constituents will get a timescale for when the Novotel can be back in proper use?

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Earlier this year my local paper, the Leigh Journal, wrote about the human misery inflicted on the constituency of Leigh by a Balkan organised crime group that was engaging in people trafficking, but we have heard from some in the Opposition today that there is “no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker”. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is sadly not the case and that we have to face reality if we are to deal with this issue?

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Having been briefly the Minister for tackling illegal migration this summer, I warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s statement. Can he provide more details on how the new small boats operational command will help to ensure that no small boat can arrive undetected on our shores?

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The people of Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke will warmly welcome the Prime Minister’s statement, albeit cautiously because they want to see delivery on the ground. The MP criticises Labour Members for being absent during the majority of the statement and points out that over 19,000 people have signed a petition titled “End Serco’s Abuse of Stoke-on-Trent” due to concerns about Serco's use of hotels in the area. He asks if the Prime Minister will agree with his constituents and end Serco’s use of hotels.