Illegal Migration

Question

The MP questions the Minister's claims about reducing hotel use, suggesting that the Government’s plans are insufficient and misleading. He also inquires whether the hotels planned for closure are located in marginal constituencies to influence election outcomes.

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The MP criticised the Government's response to small boat crossings and asylum accommodation issues. He highlighted increases in crossing numbers and costs of emergency hotels, arguing that the Government’s plan was ineffective and lacked ambition.

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Praised the Minister for successes outlined in his statement, asked about future resources to prevent new backlogs.

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Asked about a contract signed with a Glasgow hotel for asylum accommodation, discussed supporting successful refugees leaving hotels and costs associated with the new system.

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Complimented the Home Secretary and Minister on progress made, asked about discussions with France regarding reform of human rights acts.

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At the Public Accounts Committee in July, Home Office officials told me that the Government were paying for 5,000 empty hotel beds as a buffer in case of an upsurge in people travelling across the channel. Could the Minister update the House on how many empty hotel beds the Government are currently paying for?

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The Minister and the Home Secretary are to be commended for their crusade against devilish people smugglers, dodgy lawyers and deluded interest groups, but will he acknowledge that the bar needs to be raised for asylum applications? Far more applicants are granted asylum in this country than the European average. The standard of proof needs to be improved.

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The Minister has heard me say before that the use of hotels serves nobody. It does not serve the taxpayer, it does not serve local communities and it certainly does not serve those people seeking refuge in this country, so the fact the hotels are to be stopped is good news. Can he give me some indication of where the hotel in Knowsley fits into his timetable?

Question

I thank my right hon. Friend for his robust and confident statement, and for the significant progress he has been able to report to the House today. Can he also confirm that the hotel on the A12 near Langham in my Harwich and North Essex constituency is one of those that will no longer be used for asylum seekers?

Question

The Liberal Democrats submitted a freedom of information request to the Home Office to ask about the cost of the Bibby Stockholm. We asked about the cost to taxpayers of buying the barge, as well as the estimated cost of running it over the next 12 months. The cost is estimated at £20 million a year, which is well over £300,000 a week. Why has the Home Office refused to put this information in the public domain?

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I assure Members that the sun often shines on our blessed corner of Kent. Indeed, we have had a heatwave on one or two occasions this year, so let us not have any more of this weather nonsense. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his update.

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It is important, as we develop policy, to try to identify issues that might come up further down the line. In my constituency, large numbers of asylum seekers are being processed—I congratulate him on that.

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My right hon. Friend knows from the Adjournment debate we had and our correspondence over the summer the extent to which illegal migration is an issue in my constituency.

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Unlike many Conservative Members, I am glad that the United Kingdom remains a signatory to the European convention on human rights. That means that refugees and asylum seekers who come to the UK have exactly the same rights as each of us in this House.

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My constituents have welcomed Ukrainians and Hong Kong Chinese into their homes, but the pressure on local schools and housing from asylum seekers is significant. Chelmsford is not on the list for housing assistance despite having over 400 new arrivals since early summer. Will the Minister work closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to address this?

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Further to that response, the Minister talks about planning between the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, but I wonder what experience he has of the London private rental market. In my constituency, refugees who have been granted asylum are being kicked out of their hotels by the Home Office contractor within a week.

Question

I am pleased that the Minister has kept to his commitment that the North Stafford Hotel in Stoke-on-Trent will be one of the first to close. That is happening only because of the Government’s work to tackle illegal migration and stop the boats. Does my right hon. Friend agree that areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, which have done more than their fair share of contributing, should not continue to see more asylum seekers?

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I think that the Minister recognises the acute pressures that local authorities could face when asylum seekers who are rapidly granted status move out of hotels, then risk becoming homeless. He said that he will meet my hon. Friend to discuss the situation in Glasgow. Will he extend that invitation to the leader of the city council and other stakeholders, to ensure that Glasgow and other local authorities are properly supported?

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Having stood at that Dispatch Box myself discussing this sort of subject, I imagine my right hon. Friend is much happier to come to the House with today’s statement than with some of the things we sometimes end up having to discuss. Can he assure me that we will pursue measures such as Greek-style accommodation centres and ensure an adequate supply of dispersed accommodation, fairly distributed across the United Kingdom?

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The Minister is very selective with his dodgy statistics, but what I would like to know is whether he is still planning to site an accommodation barge on Teesside.

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I thank my right hon. Friend for the work he has done to bring down the number of boat crossings and to speed up people being sent back. I am grateful that it is one of the 50.

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The UK has taken fewer asylum seekers per head than most other European countries. The UK has been shaped and reshaped by successive waves of immigration over the centuries. Most of the asylum seekers I have spoken to want to contribute to society, they want to work and they want to integrate. Does the Minister recognise the dangerous, slippery-slope implications of some of the rhetoric he is using?

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The strain on public services caused by illegal migration is often felt the most by smaller towns, so may I ask my right hon. Friend to make such areas the focus of his efforts to close migrant hotels in the future?

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I welcome the Minister’s statement and his determination to deliver solutions. Will the Minister clarify whether cutting costly hotel bills means sending unsuccessful applicants somewhere else, and if so, where they are going? Local women and children will be prioritised in housing over any young, healthy, single illegal migrant male.

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Thanks the Minister for addressing Stroud’s concerns about illegal migration and speeding up hotel closures. Asks when more information on closures will be provided, and confirms local council involvement in any future closures.

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Welcomes hotel closures in Skegness but requests swift return of hotels to commercial use to mitigate economic impact.

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Inquires about the timeline to close Rothwell House Hotel in his constituency.

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Compliments the Minister on progress, inquires about handling of individuals from France who might seek asylum in Britain if French policies become stricter.

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Requests confirmation of priority for closing two hotels in Sandiacre.

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Welcomes statement; emphasises open stance on legal migration while tackling illegal routes. Asks about addressing push factors in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Confirms non-use of local hotels for asylum seekers; inquires about future plans regarding military base at Linton-on-Ouse.

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Asks for reassurance on revoking status of those found guilty of lawbreaking, racial hate, and violence.

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Highlights large numbers of people in northern France awaiting small boat crossings. Inquires about further work with French authorities.

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I very much welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement, particularly the news that there has been a significant reduction in boats and that the first 50 hotels will close, including the Best Western in Buckingham. May I ask him to confirm that this hotel will definitely close on 23 November as stated in his letter?

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I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his work to stop boats once and for all. What is being done with our law enforcement agencies to tackle the production of crafts used by smugglers in places like Turkey and north Africa?

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The Minister deserves credit for his work on this issue. When constituents see men living in a four-star hotel without paying anything while struggling with bills and food, it strikes at fairness. Should those who used to work in these hotels be offered their jobs back on better terms?

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Will the Minister consider putting a list in the Library showing the names of closed hotels? When will the consultation on capping illegal migrants finish, so we can manage demand?

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We need stable, cost-effective accommodation that meets asylum seekers' needs. Will the Minister meet me and Runnymede Borough Council leader to discuss alternative proposals?

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Congratulations on ending the use of asylum hotels and closing one in Stoke-on-Trent as requested by my petition. When will the other hotel face closure?