What Is The Plan To Tackle Small Boats And Will It Work?

Ministers are publishing much-trailed new legislation on asylum and immigration. It is the latest attempt to deal with an issue that seems intractable and has concerned governments of all parties on and off for the past three decades.

- Sean O'grady

What is in the new legislation?

It effectively abolishes the traditional right to claim asylum, and in fact criminalises it. There will be some "bespoke" asylum schemes, created in conjunction with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and may end up being based on a quota determined through consultation with local authorities. Suella Braverman will use her new law to try to stop lawyers from using the human right to family life, and legislation created to combat modern slavery, to stop clients from being deported. Her restrictions on judicial review are draconian.

Rishi Sunak stated his radical policy in a keynote speech last December: "The only way to come to the UK for asylum will be through safe and legal routes. And as we get a grip of illegal migration, we will create more of those routes. We will work with the UNHCR to identify those most in need so the UK remains a safe haven for the most vulnerable.

"And we will introduce an annual quota on numbers set by parliament in consultation with local authorities to determine our capacity. in the face of humanitarian emergencies." ...

Hasn't the government already made such changes in the Nationality and Borders Act 2022?

The previous act eroded the right to claim asylum rather than drastically restricting it. So we already have a two-tier asylum system, meaning those who arrive in the UK via irregular means may receive less protection and support.

When will the new laws come into effect?

Theoretically, they could be passed and gain royal assent before the summer, with a view to the policy being implemented in time to hit the prime minister's target of "stopping the boats" by the end of the year. Although not clearly defined, Sunak has asked to be judged on his record.