Since being elected in July, the Labour government has been working to fix the broken immigration and asylum system left behind by the Conservatives. For too long, the system has been chaotic – failing to stop dangerous small boat crossings while leaving genuine asylum seekers stuck in limbo. That’s why we are taking decisive action to restore order to our borders and build a fair and effective system. 

One of the most significant steps forward has been the introduction of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. This legislation establishes a new Border Security Commander, to co-ordinate border security measures across government departments. It also gives law enforcement new counter-terrorism-style powers to tackle the criminal gangs profiting from illegal immigration, and the ability to search and seize electronic devices which may contain evidence that could support convictions of smugglers. It also repeals the ineffective Rwanda scheme and parts of the Illegal Migration Act, replacing them with measures that actually work. 

We are already seeing real progress. In just five months, Labour’s crackdown on illegal immigration has resulted in over 5,000 raids, nearly 4,000 arrests, and approximately 19,000 deportations, including thousands of foreign national offenders removed. These figures represent an increase of 20% when compared with the same period of the previous year. This is a major step in tackling illegal migration and restoring integrity to the system. 

At the same time, we are making sure that the system is fair and humane. The backlog of asylum claims – allowed to spiral out of control under the Conservatives – is now being tackled at pace, ensuring that genuine refugees get the support they need while those with no right to remain are removed swiftly. 

I know that people in Crewe and Nantwich want to see action on legal migration too. For too long the Tories made promises and talked tough on this subject but did nothing to make sure they could keep those promises. The truth is that we can get levels of legal migration down, but it will take time and will require, among other things, investment in skills and the pay and conditions of British workers. It will require a long term shift away from an economic policy which has been content with bringing workers in from overseas, towards a model which invests in the talent and potential we have here in Britain.  

Of course, immigration is a national issue, but it has an impact here in Crewe and Nantwich too. People want to see a system that is firm but fair – one that cracks down on illegal immigration while ensuring businesses and public services have the skilled workers they need. Labour understands this, and that’s why we are delivering real change. 

There is still work to do, but the direction is clear: under Labour, Britain will have a secure border, a fair asylum system, and an immigration policy that works for both our economy and our communities. 

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