I am well aware of how important the issue of stopping the boats and controlling our borders is to the people of Wrexham.
Net migration is too high. It is estimated hundreds of millions of people, mainly from Africa and the Middle East, are looking to migrate. Last year illegal migration into Europe was up by 65%. Net migration currently stands at 745,000, the size of Nottingham. Last year, around 52,000 'irregular' migrants were detected entering the UK, which is around the population of Wrexham city.
Migration is divided into two parts, legal and illegal. The UKG has 7 legal and safe routes for refugees and asylum seekers to come and live here. The UK has a fine track record of supporting refugees, especially here in Wrexham where many people opened up their homes to Ukrainians, and those who are granted leave to remain must be supported appropriately and helped to integrate.
However net migration remains too high and the UK Government has introduced tougher measures, for example on dependency and spousal visas and introduced a points-based system. This is to ensure the system can’t be misused and that scarce resources are targeted to help people who are fleeing persecution or have skills, which this country needs.
Tackling illegal migration is a priority for the Conservative Government but it is complex and there is no easy fix. I am pleased that the Prime Minister has confirmed that the current situation at our borders is unacceptable. The ‘Rwanda Bill’ has generated a large amount of publicity but it is only one of several measures the Government is taking to address illegal migration.
• Since December 2022, the Government has returned more than 4,100 Albanians who came here illegally, with additional measures introduced to stem this flow of illegal migration through an agreement with the Albanian Government.
• Changing the law so that if people come here illegally, they will not be able to claim asylum in the UK.
• Bringing down small boat arrivals by 36% in 2023 by working with the French Government to counter people smuggling gangs.
• Increasing asylum decision assessments, clearing the 100,000 backlog of cases.
The Rwanda plan is a step in the right direction. Whilst it is not perfect, it represents a clear deterrent and contains some of the toughest illegal migration laws to date. It is noteworthy that other countries are now looking at following our lead. There are far too many who wish to cheat our system, abuse our British compassion and we continue to witness the cruel people smuggling gangs, causing yet more tragic deaths in the Channel.
That being said, I felt that the Rwanda Bill could have been strengthened to avoid the potential for yet more legal challenges by European Courts, left wing lawyers, activists and charities. Earlier this week, I voted on amendments to do exactly that. This is not because I am against the legislation, but because like everybody else, I want it to work. Whilst the amendments did not pass, I gave the Bill my overall support despite what I see as its weaknesses, because it does take us in the right direction.
As you can see, Labour has no plan to tackle illegal migration. Labour has voted against every measure the Government has taken to prevent deaths in the Channel, to crack down on criminal gangs and to return those with no right to be here to their countries of origin. A Labour Government would lead to an open-door immigration policy. In addition, the Welsh Labour Government, along with Plaid Cymru, have declared Wales ‘A Place of Sanctuary for All’ - reinforcing the fact that Labour cannot be trusted where immigration is concerned.
Whilst I expect this Bill to face legal challenge by ‘the left’, it is my duty to the hardworking British people and the people of Wrexham to do all I can stop the boats and control our borders.
Thank you to all Wrexham residents who have spoken to me about their opinions over the past few months. I will be following this issue closely and will support any measures to strengthen this Bill and stop illegal migration.