New asylum and immigration rules will make the system “safer, stronger and fairer” – says Llanelli MP
Dame Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli, has backed landmark UK Labour Government legislation to restore control of Britain’s borders and asylum system by strengthening enforcement, tackling illegal migration and ensuring the rules are respected.
Labour has announced the biggest overhaul of the asylum system in a generation, including a new independent immigration appeals body to speed up removals, reforms to the application of the ECHR and modern slavery laws to prevent abuse, and tougher powers to remove people with no right to be in the UK. At the same time, the reforms will continue to ensure Britain offers protection to those fleeing war and persecution through safe and legal routes.
The UK Labour Government will also continue closing asylum hotels and handing them back to local communities, while increasing the use of former military accommodation. Alongside this, Immigration Removal Centre capacity will expand by around 40%, enabling more than 45,000 additional failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders to be removed over the next decade.
New powers will also require asylum seekers to contribute towards the cost of their accommodation and support, ensuring those who benefit from Britain’s generosity repay it, reducing the burden on the taxpayer.
These measures build on Labour’s record since taking office. Net migration has fallen 80% from its peak under the Conservatives. Nearly 70,000 people with no right to be in the UK have been returned or removed, including 10,000 foreign national offenders. Small boat crossing are also set to be 40% lower this year than last.
Building on this success, the UK Labour Government is also stepping up illegal working raids, expanding returns agreements and speeding up asylum decisions so those with no right to remain can be removed more quickly.
Dame Nia said:
“People rightly expect an asylum system that is fair, controlled and works in the interests of local communities.
“Confidence has been undermined by delays, backlogs and criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit but these changes go a long way towards making the asylum and immigration system safer, stronger and fairer for everyone.
“These reforms will speed up decisions, tackle abuse and ensure support is focused on those in genuine need, while those with no right to remain will be removed more quickly.”
