Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Illegal Immigration: Costs

07 May 2024 · 3 other contributors · 13,395 words

Opened by Andrea Jenkyns Con Morley and Outwood

Responding minister: Tom Pursglove

ImmigrationMigrants & BordersBenefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrea Jenkyns raised concerns about illegal immigration: costs in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Home Office figures show that irregular border crossings have increased significantly, with nearly 120,000 small boat migrants arriving in Britain since 2018.
  • The refusal rate for asylum applications at initial decision has dropped from 88% to 24% in 2022, with a third of subsequent appeals being successful.
  • The costs associated with the asylum system have risen from 500 million a year under Labour to 5.4 billion under the Conservative Government.

Key requests to Government

I urge the Government to take immediate action: strengthen border security, get tougher on international partners, streamline immigration processes, impose stricter penalties for smugglers, implement public awareness campaigns, and leave the European Convention on Human Rights or hold a referendum to let the public decide. The economic costs of illegal migration are staggering; the Government's impact assessment estimates that providing public services to an illegal migration population of 1.2 million could cost £14.4 billion. I would like the Minister to address these issues and provide concrete steps to reduce the number of illegal immigrants. The Minister should share the annual cost of keeping 40,000 asylum seekers in indefinite limbo, confirm the number of detention spaces reserved for migrants due for deportation to Rwanda, and publish his risk assessment on the possibility of large-scale absconding by asylum seekers.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Andrea Jenkyns Con Morley and Outwood

I am concerned about the rising costs of illegal immigration for the economy and wider society. The Home Office figures reveal that irregular border crossings have skyrocketed, with smugglers now preferring to conduct amphibious assaults on our borders rather than using other routes. Of the 16,510 small boat migrants to land in Britain from 2018 up to the second quarter of 2021, just 317 arrived with a passport; that is just 1.92%. The total number has since risen to nearly 120,000 people since 2018. Home Office figures show that 94% apply for asylum and the refusal rate for asylum applications at initial decision has plummeted from 88% down to an astonishing 24% in 2022; three quarters of those refused at initial decision between 2004 and 2021 lodged an appeal, with a third of those appeals being successful. I am worried that the asylum system is broken down and unfit for purpose, being exploited on an unprecedented scale. The costs of the asylum system have skyrocketed from £500 million a year under Labour to £5.4 billion under the Conservative Government, with an additional £576 million spent on sending 300 asylum seekers to Rwanda at almost £2 million per deportee. Boat crossings are up 33% this year, and there is a record backlog of over 100,000 cases.

Other contributors (3)
  • Adam Holloway Con Gravesham

    The Member highlighted the indirect costs of illegal immigration, noting that smugglers often target wealthier individuals, leading to debt and bonded labour among migrants. He pointed out that unaccompanied children seeking asylum in Kent face risks such as disappearance due to trafficking, with additional protection measures required. The debate also touched on housing pressures, where increased demand from immigrants contributes to higher rents and makes it harder for local residents to find affordable homes.

  • Chris Stephens SNP Glasgow South West

    Chris Stephens defended Home Office staff and criticised the discourse around illegal immigration, arguing that it is not appropriate to label those seeking sanctuary as 'illegal'. He highlighted issues with asylum accommodation practices, such as using hotels, barges, and military sites. Stephens also questioned the costs incurred by the Home Office for transporting asylum seekers via taxis and called for a more focused discussion on tackling gangmasters and criminal gangs rather than blaming those who seek safety. Asked when the Government would produce legislation to tackle human trafficking and criminal gangs. Inquires about discussions between the Department and local authorities such as Glasgow regarding housing for those receiving refugee status after a backlog is cleared, and also raises concern about asylum seekers being transported around the UK at considerable cost.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Mr. Shannon thanked the hon. Member for raising the issue and expressed concern about illegal immigration in Northern Ireland, highlighting the need for a system that welcomes those seeking asylum while addressing mass immigration issues. He emphasised the importance of distinguishing between legal immigrants who contribute positively to society and those entering illegally. Mr. Shannon also discussed efforts to help Ukrainians settle in his constituency, noting their positive integration into local communities. The Government have provided a substantial amount of money to the French authorities for preventing people from crossing the channel, but there is insufficient personnel on the ground in France. Jim asks if there are opportunities to discuss better prevention methods with the French authorities.

Government Response

Tom Pursglove

The Government's Home Secretary is leading the international conversation about what more can be done to tackle migratory flows in a coordinated and joined-up way. The minister acknowledges that illegal immigration is unfair, unsafe, unsustainable, and costly. He highlighted the Government's efforts to secure sanctuary through resettlement schemes and maintain a fair migration system while addressing the challenges posed by illegal migration. The Minister mentioned recent measures such as the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 and the Illegal Migration Act 2023 which have been opposed by opposition parties. He discussed the significant costs incurred, stating that £8 million is spent daily accommodating people in the asylum system and the need to close hotels housing migrants. The Minister emphasized the importance of international cooperation, mentioning a three-year funding deal with France worth £475 million aimed at deploying personnel and technology to prevent illegal crossings. Additionally, he highlighted efforts such as supporting Libya's ability to stop people risking their lives to reach Europe and co-funding projects in Tunisia to assist voluntary returns. The minister also addressed the Rwanda policy, asserting that despite legal challenges, the government remains committed to operationalizing it to deter dangerous crossings. He noted a reduction of 90% in Albanian arrivals as evidence of deterrent effectiveness. The Minister further outlined plans for faster processing of asylum claims and increasing judicial capacity through additional judges and trained first-tier tribunal judges sitting in upper tribunals. Overall, the minister conveyed that the government's comprehensive approach is yielding results but more work remains to put criminal gangs out of business.

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