Mutinous Labour MPs are gearing up to crush a bid to toughen Britain’s borders today despite ministers begging them to hold off.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is unveiling what she has promised will be the biggest overhaul for decades, admitting that uncontrolled immigration is dividing the nation.
Inspired by Denmark’s crackdown, Ms Mahmood is quadrupling the length of time asylum seekers wait for permanent settlement to 20 years. There will be reviews of refugee status every 30 months, with people sent back if their home countries have become safe.
But Home Office sources are desperately playing down reports that they could emulate the controversial ‘jewellery law’ allowing officials to confiscate refugees’ valuables on arrival.
Instead identifiable assets such as e-bikes could be seized to help fund accommodation – which is costing the taxpayer billions of pounds a year.
One government insider highlighted the case of an asylum seeker who was receiving £800 each month from his family and drove an Audi but was receiving free housing at taxpayer expense.
‘That isn’t right,’ the source said.
Other changes mooted include weakening the right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights and restricting the number of appeals allowed against refusals for asylum.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is unveiling what she has promised will be the biggest overhaul for decades, admitting that uncontrolled immigration is dividing the nation
Channel boat arrivals face having assets such as cars and e-bikes seized, with alarm that some have been living in hotels at the taxpayers’ expense while driving high-end Audis
The Home Office has also announced a ban on visas from three African countries – Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo – if they do not co-operate more on the removal of illegal migrants.
However, Ms Mahmood’s ‘moral mission’ is facing massive resistance from Labour MPs, who accused her of trying to ape Reform’s hardline policies.
There are claims that at least one minister is on ‘resignation watch’.
As resistance mobilised this morning, Kent MP and former immigration lawyer Tony Vaughan warned that the government’s rhetoric ‘encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities’.
His position was echoed by former frontbencher John McDonnell, while a host of others reposted his criticism on social media.
Touring broadcast studios, borders minister Alex Norris pleased for his colleagues to wait before passing judgment.
As resistance mobilised this morning, Kent MP and former immigration lawyer Tony Vaughan warned that the government’s rhetoric ‘encourages the same culture of divisiveness that sees racism and abuse growing in our communities’
His position was echoed by former frontbencher John McDonnell, while a host of others reposted his criticism on social media
Mr Norris told Times Radio that backbenchers ‘have not seen the package yet and I ask them to look at it closely. I know they will.’
He added: ‘What I say to them is we cannot be defenders of a broken system.
‘The system is not safe, the system is not controlled and it’s eroding public confidence.’
Mr Norris said it was ‘right if people have assets that they should contribute’ to asylum costs, but insisted the Government would ‘not be taking family heirlooms off individuals’.
