Suspended Labour veteran MP Diane Abbott called on Shabana Mahmood to reconsider proposals in the Immigration and Asylum Bill
Shabana Mahmood faced a mixed response from Labour MPs as her asylum reforms were outlined in the Commons.
The Home Secretary argued a raft of measures will protect the asylum system for generations to come. Among the proposals are the creation of a new tribunal system with decisions made by members of the public, rather than judges.
The Immigration and Asylum Bill also sets out plans to hit successful asylum seekers with a means-tested charge of around £10,000. It will also narrow the grounds for appeal over the right to family life, and penalise last-ditch appeals on the grounds of modern slavery.
Ahead of a vote on the legislation, Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham’s team said he would be supporting the bill.
Suspended Labour veteran Diane Abbott said: “The Home Office website tells us there have been well over 150 pieces of primary legislation or policy changes on immigration since 1988 – and I’ve been in the House for some of them.
“Each one was accompanied by the same round assertions that the Home Secretary has said this afternoon that they would bring fairness to our immigration system, fairness to our asylum system. They did not.
“They simply took away rights and treated people badly.” And she continued: “Many of my relatives were asylum seekers. We need to be talking about the contribution that immigrants and asylum seekers have made to this country, not talking about them as if they are some kind of burden.
“And even at this late stage, maybe the Home Secretary will reconsider this legislation that she’s bringing forward.”
Ms Mahmood argued that without action, the asylum system would be in peril in years to come. She said: “My goal as Home Secretary is to rebuild the public’s confidence and thereby ensure we can continue providing protection to those in need today and for generations to come.
“To do so, I believe we must restore fairness to our asylum system, fairness both to those who are fleeing war and persecution, and also fairness towards those communities already here who bear the burden of supporting them.”
She has promised to introduce more safe routes – a move campaigners have long been demanding. Bradford East MP Imran Hussain said: “We have an absolute proud tradition of welcoming those fleeing persecution, oppression and injustice in my constituency of Bradford East. Over a decade ago, many Rohingya who were fleeing genocide made Bradford their home, and we welcomed them. Many of them were then be able to reunite with their families from the refugee camps who are now living with them in Bradford, all of whom are contributing very positively to Bradford and to this country.
“Under her changes today, they will never be able to reunite with their family and they would not have done that. Does she think that’s right and fair on them?”
Ms Mahmood responded: “There is nothing fair about a system that is based upon uncontrolled, unsafe and illegal routes into this country.
“The only people who it serves are the people smugglers. Instead, a fair asylum system must be grounded in controlled, safe and legal asylum.
“For that reason, in the last few weeks, I announced new routes for genuine refugees to build a new life here. These capped safe and legal routes will soon allow communities, universities and businesses to sponsor refugees.
“This approach means those in need of protection arrive with the consent of communities and with the financial support of their sponsor, and not the taxpayer. It is an approach to asylum that promotes integration within and contribution to this country.”
It comes after 80 Labour MPs wrote to Mr Burnham urging him to roll back on Ms Mahmood’s plan to double the standard wait for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for people already in the country. A decision on that plan is expected in the autumn.
A spokesperson for Mr Burnham said: “Andy believes the public deserve an asylum system that is both compassionate and credible.
“This bill takes important steps towards restoring confidence by tackling illegal crossings while strengthening safe and legal routes for genuine refugees. This is about ensuring the system is fair both to those seeking protection and to the communities that welcome them.”