Illegal Migration Small Boats 2023-11-27
2023-11-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The number of small boats crossing the channel has risen sharply, with nearly a third increase in Europe despite UK efforts.
What progress has been made on stopping small boats transporting migrants across the English Channel? The crossings have increased by nearly a third compared to last year, and they remain dangerous and illegal. What is being done?
So far this year, we have reduced the number of these dangerous, illegal and completely unnecessary crossings by more than a third compared with last year. We remain focused on delivering our comprehensive plan to stop the boats by breaking the business model of the people smugglers, and we will shortly be piloting emergency legislation through this House.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Figures on Thursday revealed a significant increase in immigration to the UK, raising concerns about international treaties and conventions.
With figures showing a skyrocketing level of immigration, is it time to adjust international treaties? The world faces troubled times with mass migration; can we accommodate all those seeking asylum under existing rules?
My hon. Friend makes a strong point. While some of those coming here have genuine grounds, many are economic migrants making spurious claims. We have reduced grant rates for Albanians from 53% to 19%, and we added India and Georgia to the list of safe states.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary's statement about the narrative surrounding the Rwanda plan.
Regarding the Rwanda policy, does the Minister agree with the Home Secretary that we have allowed the narrative to be created that this was the be-all and end-all of Government policy? What is our policy on combating boats and illegal migration?
When my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I set out our comprehensive plan this time last year, it had many facets, one of which—an extremely important component—was our Rwanda plan. We are almost the only country in Europe where illegal entrants are falling by more than a third.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The previous Home Secretary's removal and recent media briefings about legal obligations.
Since the previous Home Secretary was removed, has the Immigration Minister become a law unto himself? Has he briefed the media against his new boss's wishes?
The sad truth is that they have complete disdain for the British public. The Home Secretary and I will do everything in our power to reduce both legal and illegal migration, working closely with the Prime Minister.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific questions about the Immigration Minister's authority were not directly addressed
Discussing Public Opinion
Working Closely With The Pm
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A recent incident where a woman and man died while attempting to cross the channel in small boats.
Given deaths and injuries among those crossing illegally, will the Immigration Minister consider a humanitarian visa? People risk their lives due to lack of safe routes. How does he address this?
We are working closely with French authorities to investigate deaths and deter illegal crossings. Regarding safe routes, we have issued over half a million humanitarian visas since 2015, more than at any time in history.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about considering a humanitarian visa was not directly addressed
Discussing Collaboration With France
Mentioning Existing Visa Issuance
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about Afghan refugees, particularly those who served in units set up by Britain. In the first nine months of 2023, only 279 Afghans arrived via safe and legal routes while 17 times as many used small boats to enter the UK.
The Minister is deflecting quite a lot. Government Members would do well to listen because their systems are not working; they are failing people every single day. In the first nine months of 2023, a mere 279 Afghans arrived in the UK by safe and legal routes. For each one, 17 Afghans came across on small boats. Today, The Independent has laid out the story of a mother of four—an Afghan special forces soldier who served in a unit set up by Britain, trained and paid for by the British armed services—whose application under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy was denied, along with many others from commando force 333 and Afghan territorial force 444. Why is the Minister failing so many Afghans?
We do not encourage anyone, whatever their circumstances, to come across illegally in a small boat. That is a criminal offence and it should not be encouraged. We have supported nearly 25,000 people to come from Afghanistan since the end of the war, which compares extremely favourably to other European countries. We have issued more than half a million humanitarian visas, which is a record we should all be proud of.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific denial of applications for Afghan special forces soldiers and commando force 333 members
We Do Not Encourage Anyone To Come Across Illegally In A Small Boat
That Is A Criminal Offence
Response accuracy