A CONTROVERSIAL bill setting out reforms to the UK's immigration system has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle as MPs voted to gave it a second reading last night.
The Nationality and Borders Bill proceeded to the next by 366 votes to 265, majority 101, as the number of people making the perilous journey across the Channel to the UK in 2021 approached the entire figure for 2020.
Labour’s bid to block the Bill was rejected by 359 votes to 265, majority 94.
The amendment acknowledged the “need to address the increasing number of dangerous boat crossings” but argued the legislation failed in several other areas.
During the second day of debating yesterday, Tory MP Damian Collins said fair-weather small-boat crossings by “hundreds of undocumented asylum seekers” have “become a fact of life” for coastal residents.
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He noted more than 8000 migrants have already made the trip this year compared to 8500 last year.
But opposition MPs warned the bill will do little to resolve the immigration issues faced by the UK.
The SNP's Stuart McDonald has said the Tories have shown they have "zero compassion" and refuse to play their part in tackling the refugee crisis.
Labour former shadow chancellor John McDonnell claimed some of the language used by those on the Government benches “wouldn’t go amiss at an English Defence League meeting”.
McDonnell’s criticism was labelled “insulting” by some on the Tory benches, who argued the legislation will resolve problems found within the “broken” immigration system.
The Bill includes clauses to allow the UK to be able to send asylum seekers to a “safe third country” and to submit claims at a “designated place” determined by the Secretary of State.
Officials believe the bill gives the potential to allow for offshore processing centres to be set up overseas, akin to policies used in Australia.
Reports have suggested the UK is considering sharing a processing centre with Denmark in Rwanda and may even revive speculation over suggestions that Ascension Island could be sought as another destination.
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Tory MP Theresa May, who previously served as prime minister and home secretary, voiced concerns about such a proposal on day one of debate on the bill – saying she had rejected the option in the past due to “practical concerns”.
The bill also gives Border Force officers powers to turn migrants away from the UK while at sea, and makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK without permission – with the maximum sentence for those entering the country unlawfully rising from six months’ imprisonment to four years.
For the first time, how someone enters the UK – legally or “illegally” – will have an impact on how their asylum claim progresses and on their status in the UK if that claim is successful.
READ MORE: SNP MP lodges bid to stop Priti Patel's ‘anti-refugee’ bill
The SNP’s home affairs spokesperson Stuart McDonald MP (above) said: “By voting through this bill the Tories have shown they have zero compassion and refuse to play their part on the global stage in tackling the refugee crisis.
“They have essentially voted to criminalise torture victims, victims of war crimes, persecuted Christian converts and other refugees - some of the most vulnerable in the world - for seeking our protection.
“There has been widespread concern from MPs and charities about this bill but the Tory government has ignored all of them and ploughed ahead with legislation that breaches the UK’s international obligations. Indeed, it is a full-frontal assault on the Refugee Convention.
“Scotland has shown it wants to go down a different route - we want to be an opening and welcoming country and play our part on the world stage - we deserve better than this.”
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