UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Deputy PM Angela Rayner called for urgent action to tackle the deep and lasting effects of migration on public services, housing, and the labour market.
As reported by The Telegraph, Angela Rayner warned of the “profound impact” of immigration and pledged swift action to tackle the serious challenges posed by rising immigration levels.
Angela Rayner’s views on migration and public unrest
Angela Rayner urged ministers to acknowledge public concerns over the high levels of net migration seen in recent years.
She made her remarks ahead of the first anniversary of the tragic killings of three young girls during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29 last year.
Following last week’s violent anti-migrant protests in Epping, Downing Street has refused to confirm whether Sir Keir Starmer is concerned about the prospect of a summer of disorder.
According to a readout from Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, released by the Prime Minister’s official spokesman, it said,
“The Deputy Prime Minister said that economic security, the rapid pace of de-industrialisation, immigration and the impact on local communities and public services, technological change in the amount of time people were spending alone online, and declining trust in institutions was having a profound impact on society.”
It stated,
“She said it was incumbent on the government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people’s lives and their communities. She said 17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived.”
The statement added,
“And while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the government had to show it had a plan to address people’s concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish. She said as part of this, the upcoming Plan for Neighbourhoods would deliver billions of pounds of investment over 10 years and hundreds of the most deprived places to restore pride in people’s local areas and improve people’s lives.”
Keir Starmer’s spokesman’s stance on potential unrest this summer
The Prime Minister’s spokesperson was asked whether the government feared a repeat of civil disorder this summer. He responded,
“He’s focused on taking action to ensure that we address people’s concerns—people’s very legitimate concerns.”
He added,
“And we start by acknowledging that those concerns are legitimate and we start by dealing with the underlying causes of those concerns.”
Responding to a question about the future of the Epping asylum hotel, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said,
“When it comes to asylum hotels, we are committed to ending the use of costly asylum hotels.”
He stated,
“We saw that peak under the previous government, around 400 hotels being used; we’re now at just over 200 with more expected to close soon.”
The Labour leader has pledged to reduce both legal and illegal immigration, warning in May that Britain risked becoming an “island of strangers.”
He later admitted he “deeply” regretted how he had phrased the comments, which followed Reform UK’s success in the local elections and its push for a “one in, one out” migration policy.
What sparked the protest outside the Epping hotel?
Over 100 people gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday evening, chanting “save our children.” They held placards reading, “I’m not far-Right, I’m worried about my kids.”
Police in Essex confirmed the arrest of six people, including a 17-year-old boy accused of damaging a police car.
The protest followed earlier demonstrations. These were sparked by a sexual assault charge against Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 58. He is accused of assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Illegal migrants in the UK
- Irregular arrivals (2025): 44,125 people entered the UK irregularly (↑14% from 2024).
- Small boats share: 86% of irregular arrivals came via small boats.
- Small boat crossings (2025): 21,117 crossed the Channel by July (↑56% from 2024).
- Asylum claims: 94% of small boat arrivals since 2018 claimed asylum.