Ministers frantically backtracked on plans to seize jewellery and watches from Channel migrants today as Labour MPs gear up to crush a bid to toughen Britain’s borders.
An overhaul Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described as the biggest for a generation is at risk of unravelling even before she has formally unveiled it.
Inspired by Denmark’s crackdown, Ms Mahmood wants to quadruple 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 returned if their home countries have become safe.
But government sources desperately played down reports that they could emulate the controversial ‘jewellery law’ allowing officials to confiscate illegal immigrants’ valuables on arrival.
Home Office minister Alex Norris wriggled as he was grilled about the suggestion – which has enraged backbenchers – in interviews this morning.
Pressed on whether the likes of wedding rings could be taken from Channel arrivals, Mr Norris told Sky News: ‘In the instance you’re talking about, no, of course not. If someone comes over with a bag full of gold rings, well, that’s different to what I said about the heirloom.’
He indicated that 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 had 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 (file picture)
Ms Mahmood said she must take urgent action to ‘restore order and control’
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’, with MPs describing the proposals as ‘disgusting’ and ‘performative cruelty’.
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
Polling has found that Danish-style restrictions are popular with the general public, despite the outcry from MPs
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’.
Labour MP Stella Creasy said: ‘Plans to leave refugees in a state of perpetual uncertainty about where and if they can rebuild their lives are not just performative cruelty, they are counterproductive to integration and the economy.
‘It doesn’t have to be like this – there is a better way forward rooted in Labour values that also ensures control at our borders.’
Brian Leishman, who was only recently restored to the whip, told Times Radio: ‘Speaking with other Labour MPs I know that there’s a real degree of disgust at some of these proposals.’
Sarah Champion, chairwoman of the Commons International Development Committee, said: ‘The Home Secretary is absolutely right to tighten loopholes to prevent those gaming the system.
‘However, the UK has a proud record for supporting refugees.
‘My biggest concern is that refugees, asylum seekers and migrants become conflated, to the detriment of our reputation as a principled country that stands by the most vulnerable.’
