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Migration
16 November 2022
Lead MP
Robert Jenrick
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Migrants & BordersLocal Government
Other Contributors: 32
At a Glance
Robert Jenrick raised concerns about migration 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:
Government Statement
The continued rise of dangerous channel crossings is unacceptable, violating immigration laws and putting lives at risk. The government plans to strengthen collaboration with France through a multi-year strategic plan funded up to €72 million in 2022-23. This includes increased patrols, enhanced security, surveillance technology, drones, detection dogs, CCTV, and joint intelligence cells between UK and French authorities. Since the start of the year, over 30,000 illegal crossings have been prevented, hundreds arrested, and 21 criminal gangs dismantled. The government also aims to work with international partners upstream, implement the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, establish migration partnerships with safe countries like Rwanda, crack down on illegal migrants, and expedite returns agreements.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
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.
Minister reply
Jenrick acknowledged Cooper's concerns but praised efforts made against smugglers, arrests, and boat destructions. He highlighted that joint intelligence sharing will enhance real-time information exchange between UK and French counterparts to disrupt crossings. Jenrick criticised Labour for opposing helpful government measures on immigration and voted against deterrents like the Nationality and Borders Act, suggesting Labour supports uncontrolled migration.
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.
Minister reply
Jenrick confirmed protocols are being set up for better engagement, ensuring MPs and local authorities receive prior notification before hotel or other accommodation is procured. He pointed out that while communication improvements are important, addressing illegal channel crossings is crucial to reducing the strain on the system.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Glasgow North East
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.
Minister reply
We distinguish between genuine refugees and economic migrants who come for the wrong reasons. The Rwanda programme is essential in tackling illegal immigration by creating deterrence, which prevents pressure on public services and enables support for those genuinely fleeing persecution.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay
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?
Minister reply
We need to engage properly with MPs and local authorities on issues related to migrant accommodation. Recent pressures have led to some procedural weaknesses, but we are committed to stabilising the situation and ensuring proper engagement moving forward.
Sarah Champion
Lab
Rotherham
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?
Minister reply
The Home Office will ensure that money is used wisely, but the allocation of overseas development assistance is a matter for the Treasury. The goal is to address illegal immigration and prioritise resources on resettlement schemes like those for Ukraine and Syria refugees.
Ben Bradley
Con
Huntingdon
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.
Minister reply
My officials have contacted his council to provide more information. The surge of migrants crossing the channel necessitates quick procurement of accommodation, but we aim to improve communication with local stakeholders.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
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.
Minister reply
We have already taken steps through the Nationality and Borders Act. We will review our legal framework if necessary, ensuring that those who enter illegally do not gain asylum routes.
Rachel Maclean
Con
Wythenshawe and Sale East
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?
Minister reply
We are pursuing returns agreements with safe countries, such as Albania, where 1000 people have already been removed. Further steps include discussions with French and other northern European Interior Ministers.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
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.
Minister reply
Disagrees with indefinite detention critiques; argues against enabling asylum seekers to work due to pull factors towards UK.
Question
Compliments the Minister and expresses readiness to support necessary legislative changes to protect asylum seekers while securing borders.
Minister reply
Appreciates the MP's support; commits to drafting legislation targeting individuals exploiting asylum for non-safety reasons.
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.
Minister reply
Acknowledges tragedy and describes steps taken to prevent future incidents; emphasises safety of those crossing.
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.
Minister reply
Explains efforts towards fairer distribution across a broader range of areas; acknowledges more parts will face issue due to high numbers.
Nick Smith
Lab
Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
Question
Inquires about the Home Secretary's stance on extending the seasonal agricultural worker scheme, proposed by a former Prime Minister.
Minister reply
Declares unawareness of any disagreement between the two.
Question
Highlights long wait times for asylum seekers to have their cases reviewed and asks about measures to expedite this process.
Minister reply
Acknowledges productivity issues during COVID; outlines plans to improve caseworker efficiency through pilots.
Question
Critiques the Home Office's actions regarding offshore wind workers, suggesting that UK seafarers are being replaced by cheaper foreign labour.
Minister reply
Clarifies that a concession for 2017 will end in April 2023; measures to address criticisms will be implemented soon.
Question
Proposes setting specific timeframes for hotel accommodations based on the processing of asylum applications, aiming to incentivize quicker resolution and community confidence.
Minister reply
Agrees to discuss this with the Home Office; emphasises goal of processing claims as quickly as possible.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Requests parity in funding for local authorities supporting asylum seekers and calls for a 'homes for refugees' scheme.
Minister reply
Commits to addressing City of York Council's concerns; notes hotel accommodation is fully funded by the Home Office.
Rehman Chishti
Con
Gillingham and Rainham
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?
Minister reply
I do not want to overstate the value of the agreement, but it is an important step forward and might presage further agreements with France in the months and years to come. It contains at least two important steps: a 40% increase in French personnel on the beaches intercepting crafts about to enter the water and making arrests; and establishing a joint centre that will ensure real-time intelligence sharing between British security services and their French counterparts.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
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?
Minister reply
If it were not for this urgent question, I would have been meeting representatives from Welsh local authorities, including the Welsh Local Government Association to ensure that we engage best possible engagement with local authorities and support them with the broader needs of individuals.
Scott Benton
Con
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
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?
Minister reply
The evidence presented to us by security services shows a significant and concerning link between Albanian migrants coming to the UK and criminality. We screen all migrants when they arrive illegally at Dover, and we have counter-terrorism officers there to ensure that we catch as many individuals as possible.
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
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?
Minister reply
I do not believe that the Rwanda policy is immoral. We want to create a system that is suffused with deterrents so that people do not make the crossing in the first place and so that if they want to claim asylum, they do so in the first safe country that they enter.
Marco Longhi
Con
Torbay
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?
Minister reply
I totally agree. Deterrence must be the test to which we hold all aspects of our immigration policy. We will implement the Rwanda plan as soon as it has passed through the courts, and I think it will make a significant impact on deterring people from making this dangerous crossing.
Craig Mackinlay
Con
Hendon
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.
Minister reply
We do not support the chaperoning of crafts to the median line. Ultimately, that is counterproductive: it creates yet another pull factor to the UK.
Jane Hunt
Con
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk
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?
Minister reply
If there are further legislative changes that we need to make, my hon. Friend can be assured that we will make them; I will be grateful for her support.
Paul Bristow
Con
Peterborough
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?
Minister reply
We want to ensure that we can move as quickly as possible to a system whereby we apply sensible criteria. That includes ensuring that prominent business hotels such as the Great Northern are not chosen to house asylum seekers, and that instead we choose hotels that provide decent accommodation in appropriate places.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
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?
Minister reply
That does sound like a very concerning incident. My hon. Friend has my assurance that I will raise it with the Home Office and, indeed, the police.
Giles Watling
Con
Cannock Chase
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.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend has made an important point. Of course we would like to have an effective returns agreement with France and British officers supporting their French counterparts in northern France. Those issues remain for discussion, but it is an important first step that we now have our officers working with their French counterparts.
Philip Hollobone
Con
Kettering
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.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the concerns raised and expressed willingness to meet Philip Hollobone formally.
Selaine Saxby
Labour Co-operative
North Devon
Question
Asked about steps being taken by the Home Office to support local tourism economies affected by hotel accommodation for asylum seekers.
Minister reply
Stated that hotels unsuitable and causing harm to local economies would be prioritised for exiting the programme, aiming for a more sustainable future.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
Inquired about additional resources being allocated for processing asylum applications quickly and efficiently.
Minister reply
Confirmed that 1,500 decision makers are working to process claims but noted that swift approvals could create a further pull factor. Emphasised the need for other actions beyond speedy processing.
Tom Hunt
Con
Cannock Chase
Question
Suggested studying Australia's approach to illegal immigration and welcomed the Rwanda scheme, asking about timescale and engagement with Australian officials.
Minister reply
Declared determination to bring the Rwanda proposals into force as soon as possible after court proceedings. Acknowledged optimism regarding the case's success.
Shadow Comment
Yvette Cooper
Shadow Comment
Cooper questioned the effectiveness of prosecutions related to channel crossings and criticised the government's level of convictions against criminal gangs. She pointed out that journalists report 100 gang members operating in Calais alone, yet the scale of response is inadequate compared to the challenge. Cooper demanded details on joint intelligence cells' involvement with national crime agencies and questioned the absence of provisions for safe returns or family reunions in the agreement. She also criticised the Home Office's handling of local authorities and sought clarity on how £140 million from the Rwanda agreement will be spent.
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