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New Plan for Immigration
24 March 2021
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ImmigrationAsylum & RefugeesTaxation
Other Contributors: 35
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about new plan for immigration 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 Home Secretary, Priti Patel, announced a significant overhaul of the UK's asylum system and immigration policies. The plan aims to address illegal migration by ending free movement and introducing stricter measures to deter such entries. It includes increased penalties for people smugglers, faster removal processes for those with no right to remain in the UK, and prioritising support for genuine refugees over economic migrants. Since 2015, more than 24,900 individuals have been resettled under the government's asylum programme, which has been celebrated as a fair approach towards legal immigration. However, the system faces immense pressure due to illegal routes facilitated by smugglers, leading to delays in processing genuine claims and strain on public services. The new policy aims to enhance fairness, deter illegal entry through tough enforcement measures, and streamline removal processes for those with no right to remain, all while maintaining support for legitimate refugees seeking refuge.
John Woodcock
Lab
Barrow and Furness
Question
Mr Woodcock asked about the plan's impact on children seeking refuge in Britain. The Home Secretary was questioned on whether this proposal would help or hinder the plight of vulnerable minors.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by stating that the plan prioritises support for genuine refugees and those with a need, ensuring that no one will be returned to danger or harm.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay
Question
Mr Foster questioned the validity of Labour's claims about the Home Office’s record on asylum applications and the Windrush compensation scheme.
Minister reply
The Minister defended her party's record, highlighting progress made in resettlement efforts and the support provided to those seeking refuge through legal channels.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
Ms McCarthy asked about measures to address human trafficking and protect victims under the new policies.
Minister reply
The Minister emphasised that the government is committed to tackling human trafficking, including through enhanced penalties for smugglers and improved enforcement of immigration laws.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
Question
Ms Maskell questioned how the plan would be implemented in practice given the lack of detail on international agreements.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that negotiations are ongoing and promised to share more details as they become available.
Torfaen
Question
Criticised the Home Secretary's statement regarding asylum and immigration policy. Mentioned failures of the Conservative government over the past eleven years including inadequate Windrush compensation scheme, slow asylum processing system, and lack of progress on agreements with France.
Minister reply
Defended her record, highlighting support for refugees and persecuted campaigners. Emphasised the importance of tackling illegal migration and protecting lives by addressing dangerous crossings. Rejected accusations of inhumane approach, stating that defending a broken immigration system encourages criminality and human misery.
Shaun Bailey
Con
Bromley & Chislehurst
Question
Welcomed the Home Secretary's statement regarding illegal migration and asylum seekers. Asked for reassurance on continued efforts to make European neighbours step up in addressing these issues.
Minister reply
Confirmed commitment to continue making the point to international counterparts that more needs to be done by European Union member states, as people will continue to die until they act.
Anne McLaughlin
SNP
Central Ayrshire
Question
There is so much wrong with these proposals that distilling it into two minutes is impossible. What person and what Government with an ounce of compassion or respect for international law would even consider casting vulnerable people off to an island using an offshoring system that, in Australia’s case, has been described by the UN as an affront to “common decency”? Who, with any regard to the rule of law, would limit the right to appeal? The high success rate of asylum appeals clearly shows that the Home Office is getting these decisions wrong too often. Are we or are we not still a signatory to the UN refugee convention?
Minister reply
First, I refer the hon. Lady to my statement. If she had bothered to listen to it, she would have heard a compelling case for stopping people trafficking, stopping illegal migration and creating safe and legal routes—something that I would have thought she would warmly welcome. Secondly, it seems to me that the nationalist party in Scotland needs to do much more to walk the talk when it comes to resettling refugees and working with the Government to house individuals who are fleeing persecution.
John Howell
Con
Henley
Question
I welcome particularly what my right hon. Friend is proposing to deal with people smuggling, but this is a bigger problem than simply the EU. Council of Europe members are dealing with this right across the Mediterranean and from the middle east. Will she join me in sharing her approach with members of the Council of Europe as an example of what can be done?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and I commend him for the work that he has been doing with the Council of Europe. In the past, we have had many conversations about this issue and about people, ways of working and upstream issues around illegal migration. He is right to highlight the issue around the Mediterranean.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract
Question
Safe Passage reports increasingly long waits for child and teen refugees in camps in Greece and elsewhere to be able to reunite with family in the UK who could care for them since the Dublin and Dubs schemes were ended. Ministers promised us that they would put in place safe legal routes in replacement, but they have not done so, and things are not working.
Minister reply
If the right hon. Lady had heard my statement, she would have heard some figures about those who are being trafficked right now. They are predominantly single men. She makes a very valid and important point, which supports the case for safe and legal routes, around children in particular.
Felicity Buchan
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Question
As my right hon. Friend is aware, many asylum seekers are being housed in hotels in central London, and many hundreds in my constituency. Will she assure me that today’s announcement will speed up the asylum process, that those who are successful will be resettled and those who are not will be quickly returned, and that we can get the numbers in hotels down to zero?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. She is well versed in this, in fact, and I thank her for the way she has worked with Ministers, and with me and the Home Office, on this issue of accommodation in her constituency.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Can the Home Secretary tell us when the first refugees will be allowed to enter the UK under her new scheme, and how many will be settled each year?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman will know that today’s paper, the new immigration plan, is a consultation document. It is a Command Paper, so we are consulting and we will work with everybody who wants to work with us constructively on this.
Jacob Young
Con
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Question
This is a fantastic plan to fix our broken asylum system. The plan prioritises help to those most in need with safe and legal routes. It will stop the deaths in the channel and in lorries of people attempting illegal entry, and deter those who abuse the system and jump the queue, particularly with a new age assessment process.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his constructive tone and comments. The plan is subject to consultation. It should be a people’s consultation.
Clapham
Question
The 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees and its 1967 protocol state that anyone seeking asylum should be able to claim in their intended destination or another safe country, but the Government’s new plan discriminates by distinguishing between people fleeing the same persecution based on their route or on their mode of transport.
Minister reply
First of all, I advise the hon. Lady to actually read the immigration plan, because she will see that it is in line with international obligations, including the refugee convention.
Rother Valley
Question
My constituents and I welcome strong action in tackling illegal migration. People claiming asylum should do so in the first safe country they arrive in, which is safer than risking their lives crossing to the UK.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that people should claim asylum in the first safe country and not be duped by traffickers into dangerous crossings.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
Question
This announcement is built on safe and legal routes, but the Syrian vulnerable persons resettlement scheme has ended. Could the Minister explain how many people a new UK resettlement scheme will take?
Minister reply
The Minister defends her Government's resettlement efforts and states that details of the new scheme are in the new immigration plan.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
Question
Yarl’s Wood detention centre, set up under a Labour Government, is part of flawed immigration processes. Will reforms provide fairer assessment for women victims?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that the system needs fixing to protect and support victims including those who have experienced gender-based violence or trafficking.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South
Question
With plans to deport more asylum seekers, will transparency be improved regarding existing returns and readmission agreements? Will the Government avoid sending people back where they risk torture?
Minister reply
The Minister guarantees no removals to places of torture or degrading treatment. She notes that removal processes exist for those who have failed claims and foreign national offenders.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
Supporting the new plan, why does the UK not use scientific age assessment like other European countries? Too many adults claim to be children for safeguarding reasons.
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that over 54% of disputed cases were found to involve adults posing as children between 2016-2020, presenting a serious risk to young people.
Ruth Cadbury
Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Question
Past failures like the abandonment of the Dubs child refugee scheme show lack of compassion. How can constituents trust this Government when asylum seekers face long waits for minimal support?
Minister reply
The Minister states that fixing the system is compassionate, addressing backlogs and tackling smugglers.
Ben Bradley
Con
Haywood
Question
Welcoming measures to ensure fairer systems, will penalties be increased for people smugglers involved in dangerous crossings?
Minister reply
The Minister confirms increases in sentences and new powers for Border Force.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
When safe passage is not secured, criminal gangs exploit those seeking asylum. What steps are being taken to ensure safer routes?
Minister reply
The Minister suggests the hon. Lady read the 'New Plan for Immigration'.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
Current system is a joke; arrivals know deportation chances are low. Is the Home Secretary prepared to be tough as Australia's PM Abbott did, securing safe locations and deporting?
Minister reply
The Minister outlines a fair but firm plan addressing component parts including legal systems that frustrate removals.
Margaret Ferrier
SNP
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Question
Inquires about the Home Secretary's efforts to strike agreements with countries outside Europe regarding returning legitimate asylum seekers, and asks how these agreements will impact trade negotiations.
Minister reply
States that this is a policy across Government involving work with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on removals and bilateral agreements.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
Supports protecting genuine refugees but also wants to stop people smugglers who abuse the system. Asks if the plan will help both.
Minister reply
Confirms that the plan includes measures such as judicial resets, streamlining of processes, and dealing with wasted costs paid by taxpayers.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Expresses concern over the role of children in illegal immigration scenarios and asks about special circumstances for minors.
Minister reply
Acknowledges vulnerability, especially concerning children. Plans to work with partner agencies to safeguard them from conflict zones.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
Welcomes the plan and asks about introducing a high minimum sentence for people smugglers.
Minister reply
Agrees that sanctions should be strengthened as part of future consultations to deter such activities.
Central Ayrshire
Question
Highlights poor accommodation conditions for asylum seekers and asks how the reforms will improve housing quality.
Minister reply
Explains that dispersed accommodation is used and suggests working with local authorities to find better solutions.
Tim Loughton
Con
East Worthing and Shoreham
Question
Welcomes the proposals, especially distinguishing between smuggled individuals and genuine refugees. Asks about safe routes and a Dubs II scheme.
Minister reply
Offers to discuss these issues further and considers previous schemes' lessons for improvement.
Mick Whitley
PC
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Question
Critiques the Government's approach as abandoning humanitarian obligations, potentially increasing reliance on people traffickers.
Minister reply
Responds that ignoring the issue is not an option; proposals align with international law and aim to stop illegal crossings.
Matt Vickers
Con
Stockton West
Question
Supports preventing illegal crossings and asks if migrants should claim asylum in France rather than risking channel crossings.
Minister reply
Agrees that migrants should seek asylum in safe countries within the EU, such as France.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
Asks if awaiting asylum seekers are allowed to work and contribute economically.
Minister reply
Reminds of current restrictions due to the pandemic but offers to provide information on existing rules.
Elliot Colburn
Lab
Carshalton and Wallington
Question
Supports tackling criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people and asks if this will reduce channel crossings.
Minister reply
Confirms plans to disrupt illegal trade and introduce new legislation post-consultation.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Asks about sensitivity in age assessments for asylum seekers, considering disabilities, trauma, and medical needs.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of thorough consideration for different vulnerabilities through upcoming consultations.
Scott Benton
Con
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Question
The residents of Blackpool are sick and tired of the delaying tactics used by left-wing human rights lawyers to prevent the lawful removal of failed asylum seekers. Can my right hon. Friend reassure me that the measures outlined today will help to achieve that?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right on this. This is a very significant part of the frustrations with the system, and in fact, far too many predecessors in the Home Office have spoken about this as well. The reforms that we are outlining will mean a reset of the judicial framework around not just illegal migration, but immigration: courts, bails, tribunals, and legal aid. We absolutely need to grip this and bring about changes that will give justice to individuals who need the protection and support that we want to give them.
Shadow Comment
Nick Thomas-Symonds
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Home Secretary criticised the Conservative government's handling of immigration and asylum issues over the past decade. He highlighted failures such as slow processing times in the asylum system, inadequate compensation for the Windrush generation, and a lack of agreements with France to tackle illegal migration effectively. The Labour Party argued that the proposed new measures are inhumane, lacking compassion, and risk worsening conditions for victims of human trafficking while making it harder for genuine refugees to access support. Additionally, he criticised the government's approach during the pandemic, stating their plans do not adequately protect public health.
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