Small boats: New law to stop illegal Channel crossings set out

A new law aimed at stopping illegal Channel crossings has been announced by the home secretary.

Suella Braverman told MPs the asylum system was overwhelmed and the changes would “stop the boats… bringing tens of thousands to our shores”.

Under the law, those entering the UK via illegal routes will be removed and blocked from returning. There will also be a cap on the numbers granted asylum.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Braverman said 100 million people around the world could qualify for protection under current UK laws – and “they are coming here”.

She said powers under the new Illegal Migration Bill included:

• A duty on the home secretary to detain and remove those arriving in the UK illegally, to Rwanda or a “safe” third country – this will take legal precedence over someone’s right to claim asylum
• Migrants would not be granted bail or able to seek judicial review for the first 28 days of detention
• Under-18s, those medically unfit to fly, or at risk of serious harm in the country they are being removed to would be able to delay removal
• Any other asylum claims will be heard remotely after removal
• A cap on the number of refugees the UK will settle through “safe and legal routes” – set by Parliament
• People removed from the UK would be blocked from returning, or seeking British citizenship in future
• The law would apply retrospectively, with anyone arriving illegally from Tuesday at risk of deportation