Thank you for contacting me about the Illegal Migration Bill.

The UK has a proud history of supporting those in need of protection and since 2015 we have welcomed 480,000 people through safe and legal routes from all countries including Ukraine, Hong Kong, Syria and Afghanistan. However the numbers now crossing the English Channel illegally on small boats has reached 45,000 last year and we are now spending over £6m a day on housing them in hotels because local authorities do not have the capacity to support them.

The Illegal Migration Bill is intended to curb the levels of illegal migration into the UK. This will remove the incentive for people making dangerous small boat crossings from safe countries like France, and will ultimately save lives by stopping people taking these risks. It will also free up capacity so that the UK can better support those in genuine need of asylum through safe and legal routes.

Article 31 of the UN Refugee Convention is clear that individuals may be removed if they don’t come directly from the territory where their freedom is threatened. As they will have passed through multiple safe countries to get to the UK, the proposed legislation is therefore entirely consistent with the letter and spirit of the Convention. 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.