IMMIGRATION - THE BACKLOG

The issue of immigration is one of the most difficult political issues across the world. Despite the appalling language used by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, the UK only receives a modest number of asylum applications in comparison with other European countries. In 2021 we had 50,000 applications whilst France had over 100,000 and Germany over 150,000. When you look at applications per 100,000 population we have 80 per 100,000 - behind most European countries with Austria at over 400 and Belgium at over 150.

Recent reports in the press about a 'fast track processing system' and 'amnesty' are driven not by increasing numbers of applicants but Government failures since Boris's 'oven ready deal' that was enacted in 2020.

We have a backlog of applications, over 120,000 up from 30,000 in 2019. This is because we are taking 15.5 months to process an application, whereas Germany takes 6.5 months and France 8.5 months. The Government blames the ECHR but this applies in Germany and France so clearly is just a scapegoat. In December 2022 we spent £6.8M A DAY on housing immigrants in hotels and you may see local hotels cashing in. With only just over 600 case workers it is not hard to see why chronic underfunding by a Government in power for many years has delivered this mess.

The other major factor identified in a recent report by Durham University is the Government's failure to negotiate a post-Brexit returns policy with the European Union: Brexit in itself is not to blame, but the Government's Brexit deal is. The lack of a returns agreement with the EU is the primary factor behind the current problem. The Government never assessed the impact of the consequences for leaving the EU without a returns agreement to replace the Dublin III Regulation and was caught by surprise. The UK did not need to leave this agreement in leaving the EU. Non-EU members have returns agreements with the EU.

Our immigration problems could be solved by a Government not held to ransom by the far right. The LibDems would negotiate a returns policy with not just European countries but across the world backed by an increase in the number of case workers.

We have to be honest with the public, zero immigration is for countries like North Korea not a western democracy seeking to engage in global trade. The LibDems believe that immigration is a major economic and social benefit the UK. Look at the staff shortages in the NHS which could be alleviated by allowing more visas for European medical staff to come here. A properly managed immigration system with sensible targets backed by a strong returns policy staffed correctly would see a workable system that is both fair and helps our economy and businesses.

It may help to clarify certain things concerning assylum;

1. Under international law (which the UK, in more compassionate times, helped to write), there is no obligations for a person to seek asylum in the first safe country they reach. They may pass through other countries on their way to somewhere else. This is in recognition of the fact that a person might have a particular reason for going to a specific country such as having family already there, or being able to speak the language so it's easier for them to get jobs, integrate etc. This means that it is entirely legal for people seeking asylum to have passed through France

2. Under international law (which, remember, the UK helped to write) those seeking asylum cannot be penalised for the manner in which they arrived in a country, whether it was a legal or an irregular channel. This recognises the fact that if someone is fleeing violence or persecution they often don't have the luxury of being able to apply for visas etc. The UK courts have also confirmed this fact.

3. No person can be illegal. Actions can be illegal, a person cannot be.

4. The UK is quite a long way down the list of countries in Europe that refugees and those seeking asylum wish to go to. And it is even further down the list globally of destination countries for those seeking sanctuary.

5. The UK courts have ruled that a person coming to the UK for the purposes of seeking asylum is not breaking the law if they arrive in the UK through irregular or non-legal channels