Home Secretary is to deliver a speech to the Conservative Party
Conference announcing the biggest overhaul of the UK's broken
asylum system in decades.
On the broken asylum system, the Home Secretary is expected to
say:
“A fair asylum system should provide safe haven to those fleeing
persecution, oppression or tyranny. But, ours doesn’t. Because
our asylum system is fundamentally broken. And we have a
responsibility to act”
…
“Right now, the most vulnerable are stuck in this broken system,
with over forty thousand other people. Almost half of these
claims take a year or more to reach a decision. Costing UK
taxpayers over one billion pounds each year. The highest amount
in almost two decades.”
The Home Secretary will list three examples which demonstrate the
broken system:
A young person, who came here legally then claimed asylum as it
wasn’t safe to go home, but they were stuck languishing in the
broken system
A dangerous Foreign National Offender, who committed an abhorrent
crime, but is using meritless asylum claims in order to remain in
our country.
Someone who arrived illegally via small boat, having passed
through numerous safe countries, having shopped around for where
they claim asylum.
On the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades the Home
Secretary is expected to say:
“From the expulsion of Ugandan Asians from a repressive regime,
to proudly resettling more Syrian refugees than any other EU
country, to supporting campaigners fleeing political persecution
in Hong Kong.
Under Conservative leadership, the United Kingdom has and always
will provide sanctuary when the lights are being switched off on
people's liberties”
“So, I will introduce a new system that is firm and fair.
Fair and compassionate towards those who need our help. Fair by
welcoming people through safe and legal routes.
But firm because we will stop the abuse of the broken system.
Firm, because we will stop those who come here illegally making
endless legal claims to remain. And firm, because we will
expedite the removal of those who have no claim for protection.
After decades of inaction by successive governments we will
address the moral, legal, practical problems with this broken
system. Because what exists now is neither firm nor fair.
And I will bring forward legislation to deliver on that
commitment. I will take every necessary step to fix this broken
system. Amounting to the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in
decades”
And on the government’s response to illegal migration, the Home
Secretary is expected to say:
“I will accelerate our operational response to illegal migration.
We will continue to hunt down the criminal gangs who traffic
people into our country.
I will continue to use the full force of our outstanding National
Crime Agency and intelligence agencies to go after them.
We will make more immediate returns of those who come here
illegally and break our rules, every single week.
And we will explore all practical measures and options to deter
illegal migration”
