The UK government has announced plans to prevent asylum seekers arriving in the country on small boats from staying. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping small boats one of his five key priorities, under pressure from his own lawmakers to find a solution to the arrival of asylum seekers in Britain. Sunak has pledged to “stop the boats once and for all” and has said that those who come to the UK illegally will not be allowed to stay, in line with new proposed rules.
The new legislation, which is expected to be introduced as soon as Tuesday, will make asylum claims inadmissible from those who travel to Britain on small boats. Plans are also in place to ban them from returning once removed. Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stated that the only way into Britain will be a “safe and legal route”.
Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed a deal to send tens of thousands of people, many having fled from war-torn countries such as Afghanistan and Syria, over 6,400km (4,000 miles) to Rwanda. However, the policy faced a legal battle after the first planned deportation flight was blocked by a last-minute injunction granted by the European Court of Human Rights. The policy was ruled lawful by London’s High Court in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict.
The latest Home Office figures show that 2,950 people have crossed the Channel already this year. Last year’s figures were around 45,000. The government’s plans have been criticised by campaigners, with concerns raised about whether some of the policies are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Christina Marriott, executive director of strategy at the Red Cross, has called the plans “extremely concerning”. She argues that the Home Office knows from its own research that this will do little to prevent people risking their lives to seek safety. She also highlights that many asylum seekers have no prior knowledge of the UK’s asylum system, so making it harsher is not an effective strategy.
Sunak has stated that illegal migration is unfair on British taxpayers and those who come to the UK legally. He argues that it is not right that criminal gangs should be allowed to continue their immoral trade and is determined to deliver on his promise to stop the boats. The new powers are seen as a step towards fulfilling this pledge.
The proposed legislation is likely to be controversial, with critics arguing that it will not solve the underlying issues driving people to risk their lives on small boats. It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in practice and whether they will be challenged in court.
Overall, the UK government’s plans to prevent asylum seekers arriving in the country on small boats from staying are likely to be met with both support and opposition. While there are concerns about the compatibility of these policies with human rights legislation and their effectiveness in preventing illegal migration, there is also a strong desire to address this issue and prevent criminal gangs from profiting from people’s desperation.