The crisis in the asylum system tarnishes the UK’s reputation as a place where those seeking protection from war, conflict and persecution will find protection.
The Manston processing centre is severely overcrowded, with men, women and children forced to sleep on the floor. There has been a diphtheria outbreak and officials warn of fire risk. Ministers were warned of the risks a year ago – and chose to do nothing.
Meanwhile more than 100,000 people are living in limbo as they wait for their asylum claim to be heard – at untold human cost and millions of pounds each day in hotel fees.
We have also talked to children who have been wrongly treated as adults and sent to inappropriate accommodation as a result.
It is untrue to say people claiming asylum in the UK are here without good cause – the vast majority have fled their homes, sometimes leaving family behind, to escape some of the most dangerous countries in the world.
It is time ministers stopped wasting money on the unworkable and cruel scheme to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda and instead focused on practical steps to end this dreadful crisis.
We need safe and workable solutions which recognise the scale of the problem and which treat people with compassion.
Ministers must set up and resource a new unit to process asylum claims so that the backlog can be cleared. They should create new reception facilities so that people arriving here are treated with dignity and respect. They should work with housing providers and local authorities to increase accommodation for people seeking asylum.
And they should talk to the French and other governments about cracking down on people smugglers but also looking at proposals for humanitarian visas which people could apply for in embassies or other official sites – to cut off the need for dangerous channel crossings.
Finally they should allow people seeking asylum who have been here for six months the opportunity to work.
The world is facing a refugee crisis, with millions of people displaced from their homes. We have done so much to recognise that through our support for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s attack on their country.
We should do the same for all nationalities who seek refuge and protection.
