Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Illegal Immigrants: Offshore Detention and Deportation

13 July 2026 · 11 other contributors · 12,753 words

Opened by John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Responding minister: Mike Tapp

ImmigrationMigrants & Borders

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

John Lamont raised concerns about illegal immigrants: offshore detention and deportation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP is concerned about the increase in illegal immigration via small boats across the English Channel.
  • MP cites public anger over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, alongside a broken asylum system.
  • MP asks the Government to consider offshore detention facilities and to reinstate the Rwanda scheme.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Government to consider establishing offshore detention facilities for individuals who enter the UK illegally, arguing that it would replace the costly current system with clearer entry and exit controls, reduce the numbers requiring processing at any one time to the low thousands, and have a genuine deterrent effect. The petition attracted over 720,000 signatures. McVey calls for the reinstatement of the Rwanda scheme, removal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and repeal of the Human Rights Act 1998 to enable deportation of illegal immigrants. She demands decisive action to reduce illegal immigration.

How the debate unfolded

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

Opened the debate

John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

The MP is concerned about the tens of thousands of people entering the UK illegally each year, mainly via small boats across the English Channel. The asylum system is broken, with resolution times often taking years and over 10,000 people waiting more than a year for their claims to be processed as of March this year. Over 98,000 people are in asylum accommodation, including more than 20,000 in hotels, leading to justified public anger. The policy of housing asylum seekers in hotels is seen as morally flawed and unfair when normal British citizens struggle to make ends meet. Esther McVey is concerned about the sharp rise in illegal immigration under the Labour government, with an average of 104 daily arrivals since July 2024, a 94% increase over the previous Conservative government. On July 10th alone, 225 illegal immigrants arrived on three dinghies, setting a new record. She cites specific cases of violence committed by illegal immigrants and the unsustainable costs associated with housing them.

Other contributors (11)
  • Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Stoke-on-Trent South

    She acknowledged the strength of feeling behind the petition but disagreed with calls for offshore detention or immediate deportation, emphasizing that seeking refuge is not illegal and many safe routes do not exist. She stated that 95% of those entering via irregular routes submit an asylum application, highlighting the UK's legal duty under the refugee convention to process their claims. Ribeiro-Addy argued against the human rights violations associated with offshore detention and criticised the conditions in which asylum seekers are housed by the Home Office, pointing out that they cannot be blamed for systemic issues. She also addressed misconceptions about asylum seeker numbers and contributions to society, noting that the UK receives fewer claims per capita than some European countries.

  • Esther McVey Con Tatton

    Highlights an increase of 94% in daily arrivals of illegal immigrants under the current Labour Government compared to the previous one. Questions which policies are working and challenges the government on their time in office.

  • James McMurdock Con South Basildon and East Thurrock

    He argued that offshore detention centres can serve as a deterrent to illegal migration, protecting vulnerable people from dangerous journeys and restoring public confidence in the immigration system. He acknowledged cost concerns but stressed the need for efficient design and proper humanitarian standards.

  • Jonathan Brash Con Hartlepool

    Jonathan Brash expressed support for the Home Secretary's measures to reduce illegal immigration, strengthen border security and increase returns. He highlighted that net migration has fallen by 82% under the current government compared to the peak under the previous one, while deportations of small boat arrivals are up 16%. He also stressed the importance of the language used in debates about immigration to avoid racial hostility.

  • Julie Minns

    Julie Minns questioned how many detention centre places would be required and whether it is feasible, given the previous government's record of building only one new prison in 14 years.

  • Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle

    Mr Mullan discussed the issue of illegal immigrants in his constituency, highlighting problems with asylum seekers gathering in a small rural town near the Crowborough camp. He argued that the state needs control over borders to remove individuals who have no right to be there and stressed that safe boat crossings favour those able to pay for the journey. Questions whether the Home Secretary would consider withdrawing from the ECHR if current measures fail. Challenges the idea that Canada or Australia require membership in the ECHR for deportation agreements, suggesting it is not necessary to remain within the convention.

  • Luke Myer

    Questions whether consideration has been given to joining multinational returns agreements to expedite decision-making processes related to deportations.

  • Robbie Moore Con Hemel Hempstead

    This issue is about fairness for constituents who pay taxes and see illegal immigrants benefiting from services more than they do. My hon. Friend agrees that offshore detention and deportation should be considered.

  • Rupert Lowe Ind Bromley and Chislehurst

    Called for the mass deportation of illegal migrants, proposing legal reforms such as repealing the Human Rights Act and introducing the Great Clarification Act to override court rulings. Advocated for creating an 'unliveable environment' by enforcing strict employment, housing, healthcare access restrictions and data sharing between government departments. Suggested expanding detention facilities and employing military veterans in enforcement roles. Estimated annual savings of over £12 billion once removals are complete. Calls for a change in attitude from playing 'he said, she said' and urges action beyond blaming the opposition party.

  • Sarah Pochin Con Dover

    Ms Pochin expressed concern about the number of illegal immigrants and visa overstayers in the UK, citing Home Office figures. She mentioned that around half a million people have claimed asylum since 2019, with 60% being granted refugee status and up to 300,000 now potentially claiming benefits. She highlighted issues such as the cost of accommodation and welfare, labour market distortion, and safety concerns for women and girls due to illegal immigration.

  • Will Forster Lib Dem Woking

    He supported a fair and controlled approach to immigration, emphasizing the importance of safe and legal routes for asylum seekers. He criticized recent government policies for failing to control borders effectively and called for improvements in Home Office decision-making processes.

Government Response

Mike Tapp

It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Twigg. I thank the hon. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (John Lamont) for clearly and comprehensively articulating the key facets of the petition that has resulted in us all being here on this sunny afternoon. We have worked hard since July 2024 to turn things around, stopping over 44,000 channel crossings in partnership with France and increasing removals and deportations by nearly 70,000 people who were here illegally. Under our landmark returns agreement with France, those arriving can face immediate detention and removal. We are reducing the pull factors for illegal migration and using every lever available to return individuals with no right to be in the UK. In November, we threatened visa penalties against Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; within weeks, my Department had successfully negotiated new arrangements based on returns. Our message is clear: if foreign Governments refuse to accept the return of their citizens, they will face consequences. We are also taking concerted action through the introduction of new legislation for a fair but firm asylum model, addressing the fact that this country is more attractive to asylum seekers than other countries in Europe. The petition seeks offshore detention facilities for individuals who enter the UK illegally, but interventions must work in practice and comply with international obligations; we have reduced small boat crossings by 41% over the last year. We are also working hard on cracking down on illegal working, increasing arrests by about 81%. Our initial decision making is up 71%, and asylum support costs are down 15%. Progress is being made to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers; hotel use has dropped from 213 in July 2024 to fewer than 170 today. Small boat crossings are down, decisions are up, hotel use is down, deportations and removals are up, and net migration is down by 82%. This Government are taking more and stronger action than any in recent memory to restore order and control to our borders.

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