This week the Home Secretary announced that she will bring forward legislation to deliver the biggest overhaul of Britain’s asylum system in decades.
An asylum system should provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny, but right now, Britain’s enables an international criminal trade to elbow the most vulnerable to the side.
After decades of inaction, we will introduce legislation to make our broken system fairer and firmer.
Fair towards those who need our help – welcoming people through safe and legal routes – and firm, by stopping the abuse of the system by those who come here illegally – and make endless vexatious claims to remain.
The UK has and always will provide sanctuary when the lights are being switched off on people’s liberties.
I recently met with immigration minister Chris Philp MP to discuss this and to relay the feelings of many people in Bassetlaw who are angry with what they have been seeing in the media.
The Government will tackle this by introducing legislation to overhaul the current system, ensuring it is compassionate towards those who need our help but also stopping the exploitation of the broken system by criminals.
We are stepping up efforts to stop illegal migration, delivering on the priorities of the British people.
We will accelerate our operational response to illegal migration by using the full force of our National Crime Agency and intelligence agencies to hunt down the criminal gangs who traffic people into our country, making more immediate returns of those who come here illegally and break our rules, and exploring all other practical measures and options to deter illegal migration.
There is also a two-fold plan to stop small boats from leaving France in the first place, and intercepting and returning anyone attempting to make a crossing.
We are urging the French to ensure that migrants who are caught attempting to reach the UK by boat are prevented from trying again, and are offering to work with them on joint exercises at sea to demonstrate how boats can be intercepted and returned safely.
Our asylum system is broken – now is the time to fix it.
Brendan Clarke-Smith is MP for Bassetlaw.
