Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, has welcomed landmark Government legislation to restore order to Britain’s asylum system, strengthen border security and rebuild public confidence through the biggest overhaul of asylum rules in a generation.
The reforms will create new capped safe and legal routes for refugees fleeing war and persecution, ensuring vulnerable people no longer have to risk dangerous Channel crossings controlled by criminal smuggling gangs. At the same time, the Government will introduce tougher measures to speed up asylum decisions, remove those with no right to remain in the UK more quickly and prevent abuse of the system.
The package includes the creation of a new independent immigration appeals body to streamline removals, reforms to asylum appeals, changes to the application of Article 8 and modern slavery legislation where it has been exploited to frustrate removals, and stronger enforcement powers to tackle illegal migration.
The Government will also continue its programme of closing asylum hotels and returning them to local communities, expanding Immigration Removal Centre capacity by around 40 per cent and requiring asylum seekers, where appropriate, to contribute towards the cost of their accommodation and support.
The reforms build on Labour’s progress since entering government, with asylum decision-making accelerated, the backlog reduced and nearly 70,000 people with no right to remain already returned or removed, including around 10,000 foreign national offenders.
At the same time, the Government is reaffirming Britain’s long-standing commitment to providing sanctuary for those genuinely fleeing conflict and persecution by establishing safe and legal routes that offer an alternative to dangerous and illegal journeys.
Amanda Martin MP for Portsmouth North said: “People in Portsmouth rightly expect an asylum system that is fair, controlled and works in the interests of our community. For too long, delays, backlogs and criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people have undermined public confidence.
“Britain has a proud tradition of offering sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution, and that should continue through safe and legal routes. But it is equally important that those with no right to remain are removed quickly and that the rules are properly enforced.
“These reforms strike that balance by speeding up decisions, cracking down on people-smuggling gangs, tackling abuse of the system and restoring confidence that our asylum system is both compassionate and under control.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Britain has always offered sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution.
“But this system only survives if the public trusts that it is fair, controlled and not open to abuse.
“I will open new legal routes for genuine refugees, while closing loopholes that have been too often abused. My goal is simple: to ensure we have an asylum system not just today, but for generations to come.”
The legislation forms part of the Government’s wider Plan for Change, which aims to strengthen border security, reduce illegal migration and ensure the asylum system is sustainable for the future while continuing to protect those most in need.
