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Immigration 2025-05-21
21 May 2025
Lead MP
Chris Philp
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
ImmigrationMigrants & BordersTaxationBusiness Compliance
Other Contributors: 52
At a Glance
Chris Philp raised concerns about immigration 2025-05-21 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves that there have been a record-breaking number of small boat crossings amounting to over 12,000 this year alone and a lack of action from the Government. Criticises the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for scrapping the ability to remove illegal immigrants to safe third countries. Calls for the introduction of the Immigration and Visas Bill which will prevent foreign nationals, including rape gang perpetrators, from exploiting human rights claims to avoid deportation.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Expresses concern over high levels of immigration and its impact on social cohesion. Cites statistics indicating that about 48% of social housing in London has a head of household who was not born in the UK. Mentions the economic consequences such as migration absorbing around 50% of new housing supply. Discusses issues with integration, citing evidence from the most recent census showing one million people do not speak English at all or properly.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Questions whether the Conservative party had a serious and credible plan on immigration during their 14 years in government. Challenges Chris Philp's assertions about past failures of Labour governments to control migration.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Asks for the shadow Home Secretary to give way, but no position is provided within the given transcript excerpt.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Questions whether Chris Philp's arguments denigrate communities and criticises him for focusing solely on negative aspects while ignoring positive contributions made by immigrants in various sectors like health, education, and transport. Challenges the validity of Philp's data regarding social housing, economic inactivity and criminality.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Defends Chris Philp against accusations of race-baiting by mentioning that Philp was reading out official statistics to discuss the issue of immigration. Argues for an honest debate about immigration based on facts rather than accusations.
Julia Lopez
Con
Hornchurch and Upminster
Agrees with Chris Philp's assessment that the measures outlined in the White Paper are inadequate, expressing concern over a potential new route for inward migration through youth mobility schemes.
Brash
Con
Hartlepool
The hon. Member questions whether illegal migration and legal migration are being conflated in the debate, inviting clarification from the lead MP.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Responds by stating that his motion covers both legal and illegal migration, mentions the Immigration and Visas Bill aiming to cap legal migration, criticises Labour's stance against such measures.
Connor Naismith
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Asks for clarification on the narrative being used by Conservative Members, questions whether providing safe routes for asylum seekers would prevent illegal crossings.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Reiterates that France offers a safe place to claim asylum and rejects the idea of providing managed routes without capping them.
Critiques Conservative Members for scapegoating migrants and argues that safe, regulated routes are necessary to avoid illegal crossings.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Reiterates his stance on France being a safe country and mentions several existing safe and legal migration routes while criticising the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for lacking substantive measures.
Connor Naismith
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Calls for the right hon. Member to address small boats crossings directly.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Outlines specific immigration schemes and criticises the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill's proposed measures as insufficient, emphasising the need for a removals deterrent like Operation Sovereign Borders in Australia.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Supports the right hon. Member's position on the Rwanda scheme, citing its potential to save lives by deterring illegal crossings.
Chris Philp
Con
Croydon South
Endorses his colleague's view and emphasises the importance of repealing the Human Rights Act in relation to immigration matters for effective policy implementation.
Angela Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Walton
The hon. Lady notes the high numbers of people crossing the Channel and criticises the previous Government for failing to address the issue adequately, highlighting their chaotic management during her specified time period and accusing them of neglecting migration policies in favour of internal party conflicts. She emphasises that net migration under the previous government rose from 170,000 to 470,000 within a 19-month period and criticises the previous shadow Home Secretary for his multiple ministerial roles without effective policy outcomes.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
The hon. Gentleman asks for clarity on the Prime Minister's stance regarding migration policies, questioning the inconsistency between previous positive statements about immigration rights and recent rhetoric aiming to discourage migration.
Asked for a clarification from Dame Angela Eagle on whether she would give way on her statement, without receiving an acknowledgment that he was granted the opportunity to speak.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
The hon. Gentleman expresses concern over the dehumanisation of migrants and questions the effectiveness of interventions by the current Government in their first 10 months, suggesting a need for scrutiny on policy coherence.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
The hon. Gentleman commends Dame Angela Eagle's emphasis on the humanity of migrants and criticises previous use of language that was deemed inappropriate or dehumanising towards asylum seekers.
Winchester
The hon. Gentleman acknowledges the debate's emotive nature but highlights the positive contributions immigrants make to public services such as the NHS, countering rhetoric that has been critical of immigration policies post-Brexit.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Asked the Minister about any future plans for a Rwanda-like scheme, suggesting concerns over the government's intentions.
Interrupted to ask questions but was not given way by the minister.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Pressed for further action on deterrence measures against smuggling gangs, questioning if the current legislative efforts were sufficient.
Mark Ferguson
Lab
Gateshead Central and Whickham
Acknowledged the recent deal with the EU to combat people smuggling and expressed support for additional measures like facial recognition technology.
Al Pinkerton
LD
Surrey Heath
Critiqued the Conservative record on immigration, highlighting failed promises and empty rhetoric. Emphasised hypocrisy in policy approaches towards migrant workers despite reliance on them across various sectors.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Asked the hon. Member about numbers of safe and legal routes he would open up and with which countries.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
Sought to give way but was declined by Dr Pinkerton.
Asked the hon. Member about safe and legal routes.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Lincoln
Acknowledged the importance of safe and legal routes but questioned whether capping such routes would still leave people in risk situations.
Tewkesbury
Thanked Dr Pinkerton for addressing those who help Britain, referencing his own daughter's birth at Oxford hospital by a multinational team of experts.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
The right hon. Gentleman contends that mass immigration has damaged the economy, social cohesion, and public services. He cites a House of Lords Committee report which found no evidence for significant economic benefits from net migration.
Steve Barclay
Con
North East Cambridgeshire
The right hon. Gentleman supports his colleague's argument about the high levels of immigration being an issue of democracy and people not feeling heard. He highlights that unless levers are used, too many foreign-born criminals will remain in UK prisons instead of being deported.
Hemel Hempstead
The hon. Gentleman criticises the previous government's stance on Brexit and its impact on immigration, stating that immigration is now four times higher than in 2019 following the Conservative party being in government.
Sally Jameson
Lab/Co-op
Doncaster Central
The hon. Lady acknowledges Britain's proud record of supporting refugees but argues that the current immigration and asylum system, inherited after years of neglect, is not fit for purpose.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Mr. Timothy argues against mass immigration policies imposed by successive Governments, highlighting the impact on British identity, economy, and social cohesion. He cites various justifications for mass immigration as being disingenuous and detrimental to the country's stability and culture.
Dr. Johnson supports Mr. Timothy’s argument about the economic impacts of mass immigration, specifically noting how it affects housing supply and affordability in the UK.
Jo White
Lab
Bassetlaw
Ms. White welcomes the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill due to its potential to tackle criminal gangs involved in small boat crossings. She cites a court case involving a smuggler named 'Captain Ahmed' who was able to operate freely despite his previous convictions, illustrating the need for stronger measures.
Dame Eagle supports Ms. White’s comments and adds that under Labour's previous term, there were more than 18,000 foreign national offenders living in communities who should have been deported but weren't. She emphasises the need to pursue such individuals both within the UK and internationally.
The UK needs to address population growth, which will be equivalent to the combined populations of several major cities. According to the ONS, this growth cannot be reconciled with the quality of life and standard of living that his constituents and others expect.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
The Conservatives are in fourth place in opinion polls due to their past failure on immigration policy, having quadrupled it during their tenure. The debate about immigration is descending into an ugly race to the bottom with Reform leading the charge, while Labour risks alienating its supporters by adopting similar rhetoric.
Connor Naismith
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
The Conservatives' record on immigration over 14 years has been poor. There is a case for control over legal migration, but it must be balanced with preventing exploitative labour market practices. The Government should focus on fairness and control in small boat migration issues.
Lewis Cocking
Con
Broxbourne
Although not given the opportunity to speak extensively, Lewis Cocking likely aimed to defend the Conservative party's stance on immigration or criticise Labour’s approach based on previous statements and context.
Andrew Snowden
Con
Fylde
Conservative MP Mr Andrew Snowden criticises Labour's decision to cancel the Rwanda deportation scheme, arguing that it undermines public confidence in the immigration system. He presents statistics on illegal immigration and asylum claims since the election, highlighting a 30% increase in small boat crossings compared to the previous year.
Oliver Ryan
Ind
Burnley
Independent MP Oliver Ryan criticises both Labour's failure to secure borders during their tenure and the current Government's approach. He provides historical context on net migration promises by Conservative governments, arguing that they have repeatedly failed to meet these goals.
Called to speak but did not contribute substantial content in the provided text.
Called to speak but did not contribute substantial content in the provided text.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Suggested deporting approximately 1 million people who are here illegally and called for a relook at indefinite right to remain status, which includes individuals with dubious backgrounds.
Seema Malhotra
Lab
Sheffield Central
Emphasised the importance of recognising legal migration while asserting the necessity for better controls, highlighting the increase in small boat crossings under previous governments and the issue of asylum seekers being housed in hotels. She noted that illegal migration had undermined border security, leading to a backlog in asylum decision-making which her government was addressing through various measures including the Border Security Command and new legislation.
Luke Akehurst
Con
Sedgefield
Asked if the Minister recognised issues with asylum seekers being housed in houses of multiple occupancy, leading to community cohesion problems. He highlighted specific cases in County Durham where unscrupulous landlords were involved.
Asked for a point of order but the minister did not give way.
Government Response
The Government is implementing the Border Security Command with additional funding to combat smuggling networks. Measures include increased asylum decision-making, illegal working enforcement visits and arrests. The Minister also introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill aimed at providing counter-terrorism-style tactics against smuggling gangs. The Government's White Paper titled 'Restoring Control over the UK’s Immigration System' is a serious plan. The Conservatives, despite their rhetoric, inherited a failing system with record net migration and small boat arrivals under their watch. The dramatic increase in net migration has had serious implications on public services, housing stock, economy, domestic labour market and community cohesion. Apprenticeships halved while visas doubled during the previous Conservative government’s tenure. Discussed actions taken by her government to address illegal migration, including restarting asylum decision-making on the backlog left by previous governments and increasing returns. Mentioned the new Border Security Command, Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, immigration White Paper, and efforts to tackle overly complex family and private life immigration arrangements.
Shadow Response
None
Shadow Response
The Minister responds by questioning whether the narrative coming from Conservative Members adequately addresses the tragic loss of life. The right hon. Member for Croydon South (Chris Philp) noted the high numbers of people crossing the Channel and expressed agreement with Dame Angela Eagle that numbers were too high, but did not provide a substantive policy position or response to current government actions. The hon. Member criticised the Conservative motion for its lack of policy solutions, highlighting economic vandalism by cutting funding for further education colleges training local construction workers while importing foreign labour. The shadow minister responds but her speech is not included in the provided transcript.
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