The Government has announced tough new measures to tackle illegal immigration and deter dangerous small boat crossings in the English Channel. Over 40,000 people have illegally crossed the Channel in small boats this year, putting pressure on local public services. Many originate from safe countries like Albania or travel through safe countries like France. That is unfair on those who come here legally, unfair on those who have a genuine asylum claim – and unfair on the British taxpayers who are faced with consequences.
The Prime Minister has prioritised this issue since he took office: he has delivered the largest ever small boats deal with France which increases UK-funded patrols by 40 per cent, re-established the Calais Group of Northern European nations to disrupt traffickers, and set a long-term ambition for a UK-EU wide agreement on migration.
This week, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have announced five new steps:
- A new agreement with Albania so that the vast majority of Albanian claimants can be removed – with weekly flights until all Albanians in our backlog are sent home.
- A new, permanent, unified Small Boats Operational Command in the channel with 700 new staff
- Tougher immigration enforcement with 200 new staff and better data sharing with banks
- Cheaper accommodation sites so we can move migrants out of expensive hotels
- Clear the initial asylum backlog by 2023 by doubling the number of caseworkers and radically streamlining the process
Jack Brereton MP met with the Prime Minister this week to discuss his concerns and concerns raised by Stoke-on-Trent residents with regards to illegal immigration. Jack has repeatedly raised concerns in Parliament about illegal immigration and particularly the numbers being accommodate in Stoke-on-Trent.
Jack said: "The measures announced by the Prime Minister are a vital step towards ending the repeated abuse of our immigration system by those trying to enter the UK illegally. Stoke-on-Trent has done far more than our fair share in accommodating refugees and asylum seekers, which is putting significant pressures on our local services. We must have a far more robust immigration system that is better able to deter and reject those who have not right to come to the UK. I will continue to raise these concerns in Parliament and with the Government to ensure we fix our broken immigration system."
You can read the Prime Minister's statement to the House of Commons here.
