Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill 2025-02-10

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Will the Home Secretary confirm that our immigration policy will apply throughout the entirety of the UK?

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When will we get a Scottish visa to address our issues?

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Does she agree that we should work out more sustainable safe routes for asylum seekers?

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How many of those deported since she came into office had crossed into the UK on small boats?

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Why do people want to come across the channel from France, which is a lovely country where many people enjoy holidaying, and how will the Bill specifically help reduce the number of individuals who make that journey?

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Which metric should be used and by what date to ascertain whether the Home Secretary has succeeded in reducing illegal immigration?

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What will be in this Bill to support safe routes for migrants?

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What measures are being taken to remove incentives for illegal immigration and what role will Border Force have between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic?

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How will these new laws apply to individuals outside UK jurisdiction?

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The Home Secretary mentions asylum hotels. The Government have actually opened more asylum hotels since they have been in office. Can she give us a date when she will have met her manifesto commitment to close the last asylum hotel?

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The shadow Home Secretary seems keen to reflect on the records of Governments. In 2010, the number of people in the asylum system reached an over-20-year low. By the time the Conservative Government had left office, the number had ballooned by 13 times to 225,000. Will he reflect on who was responsible for that?

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In 2018, only 400 people crossed. On the Conservative Government's watch, this number rose to 130,000. Will the shadow Home Secretary apologise?

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Does the Opposition believe that using language like ‘surrender’ contributes to finding a solution?

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Why does the Opposition oppose the Border Security Commander’s powers?

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Does the Opposition misrepresent the National Crime Agency's stance on Rwanda?

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What was observed during visits to Rwanda regarding potential asylum seekers?

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Is outsourcing asylum policy to Rwanda ethical?

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I welcome this important Bill, which will introduce new counter-terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash the people smuggling gangs... I want to focus on an extremely important aspect of the Bill that has gone largely overlooked, and on which I have been campaigning for change. Clauses 43 and 44 will introduce new offences to clamp down on the rise of 3D-printed firearms, which is a serious threat.

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We all want to stop the dangerous channel crossings, wherever we sit on the political spectrum. There are some measures proposed in the Bill that we on the Liberal Democrat Benches support, some that we do not think will be effective enough, and some that we will seek to amend in Committee.

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The Bill paves the way to end 14 years of gimmicks and sticking-plaster politics. Despite spending £700 million on the Rwanda scheme, which saw 84,000 people arriving in small boats from its introduction to scrapping, what does the Bill aim to achieve?

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How do we solve this problem together as a country? What is your view on the effectiveness of the Government's approach?

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Karen Bradley acknowledges the complexity of illegal immigration and expresses hope for successful implementation of the Bill. She highlights the need for global cooperation, raising concerns about endangering life at sea measures, biometric testing, and protection for victims of modern slavery.

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Olivia Bailey supports the Bill as a step towards regaining control over borders after previous failures. She underscores the importance of balancing compassion with control, stressing that illegal crossings undermine national security and public services.

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The Home Secretary's rhetoric is welcome but lacks substance. Since taking office, Labour has seen key metrics deteriorate; the new Border Security Command will merely write plans and present accounts without compelling other organisations to act. The Bill removes more power than it puts on the table. Until the Government provides a credible alternative for returning failed asylum seekers, they are undermining their own criticism of Conservatives. This is a missed opportunity with words but no action.

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Commits support to Government efforts addressing border security, criticising Reform UK for pitting working people against each other. Supports use of counter-terrorism tactics to limit criminal gangs' operations, contrasting with previous government's £700 million spent on failed Rwanda scheme.

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The Bill's approach is the same old, tired, failed method. It does nothing to address structural problems coming from population stagnation and decline.

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The hon. Member for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh raises the issue that Scotland's population is growing in some areas while declining in others, which highlights the need to address regional disparities.

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The hon. Member for Clapham and Brixton Hill commends some reforms in the Bill, such as scrapping the plan to expel asylum seekers to Rwanda, but criticises other aspects that could criminalise people or lead to increased immigration detention costs.

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The hon. Member for Bromsgrove highlights the need for legislation to strengthen the nation's response to illegal immigration, citing a 28% increase in channel crossings since July compared to the same period last year.

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I think that everybody across the House wants to see small boat crossings diminish and hopefully conclude entirely. Likewise, I think that most people across the House feel that we need to have a fair, robust and effective way to deal with illegal immigration.

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These points are obviously going to come from Conservative Members. Have they read the comments of the noble Lord Winston in the other place on 27 November 2023, when he outlined that while scientific equipment may be used, the analysis that comes from bone density checks or X-rays is entirely flawed? The results depend on the calcium deposits and the food that was eaten by the person being X-rayed, as well as other health reasons. Has the hon. Gentleman read those comments?

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What are the Minister and the Government doing to address the issue of people coming in through the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic?

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How many of those deported in the past seven months had arrived in a small boat? The Bill does not deliver an effective removals and deterrence strategy. It is repealing provisions that would have stopped those who enter the UK illegally from claiming asylum.

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How can we address people’s concerns about immigration and border security in a way that is firm but compassionate, just and in line with our values?

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The Bill, which has been welcomed by the National Crime Agency and the new Border Security Commander, delivers the measures required to tackle smuggling gangs... It means that those engaged in people smuggling will be viewed as a global security threat, in the same way as terrorists...

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I will be voting against the Bill and in favour of the reasoned amendment, for the simple reason that I do not believe this Bill will do anything to smash the gangs... Over the past 14 years and beyond, we have had a great track record of taking in refugees from areas of conflict and other places, but by cheating the system, thousands of illegal migrants are entering the country...

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The shadow minister criticised the Government's approach on illegal immigration, stating that it undermines the nation's ability to control its borders and protect those in need.

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Welcomed the Government’s commitment to scrapping the Rwanda plan but criticised the narrative around immigration, highlighting austerity's role in economic issues rather than migration. Emphasised the importance of tackling systemic issues and nurturing humanity instead of hatred.

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Asked critical questions about the effectiveness of Border Security Command, pointing out the lack of concrete results in reducing illegal immigration despite promises and strategic leadership claims. Questioned the Bill's ability to provide necessary deterrents against migrants.

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Why does this Bill weaken the law by allowing illegal immigrants to claim asylum, live off benefits and become British citizens? Also, how does it hinder enforcement?

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How will this Bill tackle organised crime networks involved in human trafficking?

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My constituents do not object to immigration per se, and it is a myth that people who voted for Brexit did so purely on the basis of racism—far from it. People across my constituency want a fair immigration system, in which people stand in turn and come to this country fairly. Where the system has fallen down, and we now see ever increasing numbers of people choosing to come here illegally across the channel, we must have a deterrent to deal with the issue. Without that, we will continue to see and feel the effects of too many people coming into our country illegally.

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Turning specifically to the Bill, it repeals the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 and the Illegal Migration Act 2023. Much has been said about these two pieces of legislation, but what I see in front of me in this Bill amounts to sheer madness. It means that asylum seekers can refuse to take a scientific age assessment and consequently no longer be treated as over 18.

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As others have spoken about the specific measures in this Bill, I will take a step back and talk about the ideas that underpin it. There have been grumblings tonight that we are aping Conservative Members and that we are being asked to pretend, to delude ourselves and to dupe the public somehow into thinking that we support strong and controlled borders as a precondition for managed migration.

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Cocking criticises the Bill, stating it ignores the National Crime Agency's recommendation for a deterrent. He mentions a 30% rise in small boat crossings since the new Government took office and expresses disappointment with the removal of previous laws that toughened the system.

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Murray supports the Bill, emphasising its overdue nature in restoring confidence in the immigration system. He highlights three key components: counter-terror-style powers on immigration enforcement, a new offence of endangering a life at sea to change risk calculations for boat crossings, and working with other countries to tackle cross-border challenges.

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While appreciating the need for security at our borders and a sensible discourse around immigration, he emphasised the importance of compassion, legality, and an unwavering commitment to human rights. He raised concerns about the criminalisation of vulnerable people who are already caught in conflict, deprivation, and despair due to clause 18 of the Bill.

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The Government’s scrapping of the Rwanda plan is welcome, but many inhumane policies have been left to stand. She expressed concern about new elements of the Bill expanding offences and giving the state additional powers to investigate and prosecute people.

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The Government are seeking to set up a Border Security Commander who, in exercising their functions—which, I note, are undefined—must have regard to the objective of maximising the effectiveness of the activities of partner authorities relating to threats to border security. She expressed concerns about the lack of clarity around the roles and responsibilities of the Border Security Commander.

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I chair the Public and Commercial Services Union parliamentary group, which represents frontline Border Force staff who propose a safe-passage visa system to stop boats. Most asylum seekers arrive by boat because there are no other routes available. We need a comprehensive evidence-taking process for age assessments instead of inaccurate scientific measures.

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I welcome the Bill's focus on unaccompanied children entering by small boats and the repeal of the Safety of Rwanda Act 2024. Local authorities should be supported to make decisions about accommodation for these vulnerable children.

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The MP spoke about the historical context of immigration in Britain, acknowledging its benefits but also highlighting the previous Government's lack of control over borders. He cited an increase in returns under this government and criticised the Rwanda scheme for costing taxpayers £700 million.

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The MP discussed her experience driving trucks across the channel and expressed concern about human trafficking and illegal migration. She praised the new Border Security Commander but criticised previous failures, including £700 million wasted on the Rwanda scheme.

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The MP welcomed measures to repeal harmful elements of the asylum system but expressed concern about criminalizing children’s wellbeing. She criticised past cruel treatment of child asylum seekers, such as painting over welcoming murals.

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I thank the Minister for that reassurance. As the Bill progresses to Committee, it would be helpful if those items were listed among the relevant articles to give some solace to the NGOs... [Full question provided]

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The Conservative party has a record of failure, and now it is failing to back our measures to put things right... [Full question provided]

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Today’s remarks from Conservative Members have been clear—we understand the public’s frustration that more has not been done to reduce these numbers... [Full question provided]

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Can you refer to specific clauses in the Bill that give the Border Security Command the ability to dictate the activity of other Government agencies?

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How will success based on the Bill be measured and by what metric?