New legislation will tackle ‘staggering’ number of small boat crossings, says minister
A senior minister has said tougher rules are needed to prevent an increase in “small boat” crossings to the UK.
Michelle Donnellan, the science innovation and technology secretary, said the UK needed “robust processes” as many people who arrived illegally traveled through safe countries.
As early as tomorrow, the government is expected to publish its new draft laws to tackle the crisis involving migrants crossing the Channel.
Under the new proposals, families could face detention and deportation if they enter the UK illegally. They will effectively ban any migrants arriving across the Channel in small boats from seeking asylum in the UK.
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Once the migrants are removed, they will not be allowed to return to the UK.
Talking to Sky News This morning Ms Donnellan said the number of small boat crossings was “staggering”.
“If you compare where they are [the numbers] there were a few years ago, there were hundreds, it’s important that the government tackles this, which is why the Prime Minister has made it one of his top priorities – that’s why we’re already taking action. We got a record agreement with the French government last year, so we are proposing the legislation,” she added.
She said the “fundamental principle” of the legislation is that if you come here “illegally, you cannot stay”. “It’s a common sense approach,” she continued.
“Stop the Boats” is one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities for the government and new legislation has been expected for some time.
The legislation aims to make it more difficult to cross the British Channel, and asylum seekers will also be barred from applying for the right to remain in the UK for life.
Conservative MPs have been told they must be in the House of Commons on Tuesday when the legislation is likely to be unveiled by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Responding to the new crackdown this morning, Labour’s shadow health secretary Wes Streeting predicted the new rules would never “see the light of day”.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr Streeting questioned the idea that such laws could get through parliament. He said, “Well, I don’t think it will see the light of day. I don’t think it’s going to get through parliament, I don’t think anyone in their right mind thinks it’s sensible.
“What they want is to be able to come to programs like yours and say, ‘Oh, those awful left-wing judges, those Labor lawyers, they’ve banned us from doing this.’
“They really need to control the speed of decision-making, making sure there are safe schemes that people can use and going after criminal gangs that exploit people.”
He accused the government of “tricks with the headlines” rather than “trying to solve the real problem”.
He added: “We’re pulling our hair a bit because like everyone else we’re watching these little boats come across, it’s incredibly dangerous, it’s an absolutely unacceptable way for people to arrive.”
One of the areas of concern about the current system is the lack of safe pathways for people to claim asylum in the UK.
After criticism from human rights groups, Ms Donelan insisted this morning “that there are safe routes to get into this country”.
Enver Salomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the plans to deny those crossing in small boats the chance to claim asylum would “undermine the UK’s long-standing commitment under the UN Convention to give people a fair trial, regardless of the route they took to get to our shores”.
Steve Valdez-Symonds, UK director of refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International, said the government’s proposals “do nothing but further demonize and punish people who flee conflict and persecution and who dare to seek asylum in the UK using the means which the government decided to limit them.
