Fact sheet from Hansard “ • These journeys are also unnecessary, as those making these crossings are coming from safe countries, such as France, where they could have claimed asylum.* More recently, we have seen large numbers of people making these dangerous journeys who are from well-established safe countries, where it is clear they are not at risk of persecution. * The people who make these journeys are manipulated by people smugglers who charge them thousands of pounds, before using this money to fund other serious crime.* It’s not fair that those coming to the UK with the intention of becoming economic migrants are able to exploit our asylum system, which should be prioritising those whose lives are genuinely at risk. * It’s also not fair on the British taxpayer. The current broken asylum system currently costs the UK some £3 billion a year and rising, including nearly £6 million a day on hotel accommodation.* We cannot continue, year on year, with this inexorable rise in the number of illegal arrivals adding unacceptable pressures on our health, housing, educational and welfare services.”
Steve Taylor ● 2d