Sir Keir Starmer’s five-point plan to reform the UK’s asylum system has been met with criticism from a Home Office source and Conservative MPs.
The Labour party’s plan includes opening up “safe legal routes” for asylum seekers and increasing funding for agencies tasked with stopping people smugglers.
However, a senior Home Office source has warned that the plan would require the UK to open its doors to “millions” of migrants, and that it would not be effective in stopping small boats.
The source also criticised the plan’s pledge to increase funding for agencies, stating that it would not be effective in stopping smugglers.
Conservative MPs have also criticised the proposals, with former minister Jonathan Gullis stating that the plan amounts to “let’s keep the boats coming over”.
Red Wall MP Marco Longhi added that Labour has “zero credibility” on immigration and that the only way to stop smuggling is by removing the demand for their services through deportation.
The criticism comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled tough new laws to curb Channel crossings, stating that migrants arriving in the UK illegally would be removed “within weeks” and face a lifetime ban on returning under the Illegal Migration Bill.
Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper criticised the Tories’ approach, stating that they are “being irresponsible” and not actually solving the problem.
Labour’s plan also includes cracking down on smuggler gangs, clearing the asylum backlog, reforming legal routes for refugees, working with France on returns, and tackling humanitarian crises at the source.
However, the criticism from the Home Office source and Conservative MPs suggests that the plan may not be effective in curbing the migrant crisis.
The debate on immigration and asylum continues to be a contentious issue in the UK, with both major parties offering differing approaches to the issue.
As the government and opposition continue to develop their plans, it remains to be seen which approach will ultimately prove most effective in tackling the crisis.
