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 and travel through safe countries. That is unfair on those who come here legally, unfair on those who have a genuine asylum claim – and unfair on the British people who play by the rules.
Today in Parliament the Prime Minister set out a clear plan to tackle the issue:
1/ A new deal with Albania to speed up the return of Albanian asylum seekers, who make up a third of those arriving to the UK by small boats.
2/ A new, unified Small Boats Command Centre, to step up how we police the channel. This will bring together our military and civilian capabilities in a coordinated response to intelligence, channel boat crossing, processing and enforcement.
3/ Doubling the funding for the National Crime Agency to tackle immigration crime in Europe.
Including adding 200 new staff to step up immigration enforcement.
4/ Moving up to 10,000 people out of expensive hotel accommodation into low-cost sites like disused holiday parks and former student halls.
5/ Doubling the number of caseworkers and radically streamlining the asylum process. Clearing the backlog by the end of next year.
Early in the New Year we will also be legislating to ensure that if you enter the UK illegally, you should not be able to remain here. Meaning that the only way to come to the UK for asylum will be through safe and legal routes. In recent years we have provided support to the people of Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan. We will work with the UNHCR to identify those most in need, so the UK remains a safe haven for the most vulnerable. Our legislation will introduce an annual cap on the number of refugees we are able to take on a yearly basis, set by Parliament, and in consultation with local authorities.
More information here - https://bit.ly/3BzB7Um
