RAMP Associates in Lords Debate on Migration and Border Security

On the 10th of December there was a Lords Chamber debate on migration and border security following a statement made in the Commons on the 2nd of December on the government’s plan to address record-high net migration, improve asylum processing, enhance border security, and disrupt smuggling networks.

RAMP Associate Lord German raised points on labour shortages, family separation, and safe routes.

He highlighted concerns about labour shortages and migrant exploitation in the care sector, questioning what measures the government is taking to address these issues and combat exploitation amid a decline in health and care worker visa entries.

He also raised concerns about the impact of increased salary thresholds for British citizens bringing spouses or partners to the UK, questioning whether the government has assessed how this policy affects families, including children, unable to live together in the UK.

He welcomed international co-operation to tackle criminal gangs involved in channel crossings but urged the government to address demand as well as supply. He called for safe routes, including a pilot humanitarian travel visa system for high grant-rate countries.

RAMP Associate Baroness Lister also spoke in the debate. She referenced a report indicating that decision-making on asylum claims under the previous government suffered in quality due to a focus on speed and asked what steps are being taken to improve the quality of decision-making.