UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Education minister Stephen Morgan says the government plans to reform the ECHR to curb immigration, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper set to outline details.
As reported by The Independent, Stephen Morgan said the government aims to reform the European Convention on Human Rights to reduce immigration.
What did Stephen Morgan say about ECHR reform and migration?
Stephen Morgan said,
“We’re really clear that we inherited an asylum system in chaos and we want to bring order to that system, and fairness and balance.”
He stated,
“So, Yvette Cooper will set out details later today, but we want to see reform in the ECHR; we think that’s really important to bring down the levels of migration that we’ve seen coming into our country.”
Mr Morgan highlighted that 35,000 people with no legal right to remain have been deported and reaffirmed plans to close asylum hotels.
He called Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp’s criticism of Labour’s migration policy “rank hypocrisy” following 14 years of Conservative rule.
The education minister added,
“Action is being taken, but we will go further and faster as the Home Secretary will set out later today.”
What did Chris Philp say about Labour’s immigration reform plans?
Conservatives accuse Labour of “complete denial” over its plans to reform immigration and border security.
Chris Philp said,
“The government seems to be in complete denial that they’re presiding over a border crisis.”
He described the government’s planned asylum reforms, to be announced by Yvette Cooper, as a “tiny tweak that will make very little difference.”
Mr Philp said,
“I’m afraid the truth is this is a tiny tweak that will make very little difference. To be quite honest, people who cross the channel illegally shouldn’t be able to bring any family members over here at all.”
The shadow secretary stated,
“In fact, if the Government was serious about fixing this issue, what they would be doing is making sure that everybody who arrives illegally is immediately removed.”
In response to questions about Conservative immigration policy, he cited the now-abandoned Rwanda plan, saying it would have removed every illegal Channel crossing.
How did Yvette Cooper plan to tackle gangs behind Channel crossings?
The Home Secretary will argue on Monday that efforts to dismantle gangs behind Channel crossings are reducing illegal arrivals.
She will highlight that in 2024/25 the National Crime Agency led 347 disruptions of immigration crime networks, marking a record level and a 40% increase on 2023/24.
The Home Secretary will claim that measures on border security, higher deportations, and asylum system reforms are
“putting much stronger foundations in place so we can fix the chaos we inherited and end costly asylum hotels.”
She will argue,
“That means ensuring we have the powers we need to pursue the criminal smuggling gangs profiting from small boat crossings that other parties have voted against, but also new firm rules in place to manage the asylum system so we can close hotels.”
Ms Cooper will tell Reform UK and Conservative supporters that asylum and immigration issues
“are complex challenges and they require sustainable and workable solutions, not fantasy promises which can’t be delivered.”
She will explain that Britain has a
“proud record of giving sanctuary to those fleeing persecution”,
Though the system
“needs to be properly controlled and managed, so the rules are respected and enforced, and so governments, not criminal gangs, decide who comes to the UK.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about Labour’s immigration stance?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour “do not have the stomach” to take stricter measures to tackle immigration.
She stated,
“Well, what I would actually like to see the Home Secretary talk about is how she’s going to close down the asylum hotels. What they have done with their recent court case is actually shown that they believe that illegal migrants have more rights than our local communities, and we completely disagree with that.”
Ms Badenoch said,
“We had a deportation Bill, which we asked Labour to support, we talked about disapplying the Human Rights Act so you wouldn’t even get to some of the circumstances that she’s talking about.”
Referring to protests against asylum hotels, she responded,
“Of course I support people’s right to protest. I have been in Epping and the people I saw were everyday mum and dads who live in the community, who are very worried about their safety and about their children’s safety.”
Key facts about illegal migrants in the UK
Small boats are now the main route into the UK, with 38,023 arrivals in 2024/25. The top nationalities were Afghans, Syrians, Eritreans, Iranians, and Sudanese.
Only 3% of arrivals have been returned, while 94% claimed asylum. Of those decided, 68% were granted protection, with 90,000 cases still pending.