British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has made the controversial decision to uphold a ban preventing asylum seekers from claiming protections under modern slavery and other human rights laws. This move arrives amid growing scrutiny and criticism from within his party, highlighting the challenging dynamics of immigration policies currently facing the UK.
Starmer has found himself under intense pressure to address the spike in asylum seekers arriving by small boats, as public concern about immigration looms large. His government is responding to the arrival of tens of thousands of people each year, with immigration and asylum now deemed the second most pressing issue among voters, following the economy, according to recent YouGov polling data.
On Thursday, the Border Security, Immigration, and Immigration Bill was introduced to Parliament, providing the police with new powers to seize the mobile phones of asylum seekers. This step aims to track down people smugglers and their networks, particularly those allegedly supplying parts for the small boats used to transport migrants across the English Channel.
The Labour Party, which came to power only six months ago, is not only retaining measures from the previous Conservative government but is also pushing forward with policies it had previously opposed. Starmer and his party are planning to uphold provisions stating asylum seekers cannot deploy modern slavery laws to counter deportation decisions and also endorse the temporary detention of child asylum seekers for up to 28 days.
These actions stand in stark contradiction to Starmer’s earlier stance. Back in 2023, he vocalized strong opposition to such measures, arguing they would significantly undermine protections for vulnerable groups. He stated at the time, “If we allow asylum seekers to be denied modern slavery protections, we are driving a coach and horses through safeguards for trafficked women.”
Similarly, Jess Phillips, now serving as junior interior minister, described the legislation as not just unethical but dangerous, calling it “a traffickers’ dream” aimed to conceal potential victims of modern slavery rather than protect them.
With data showing 36,816 people arrived in the UK by small boats last year—a 25% increase from the previous year—these policies are increasingly relevant and urgent. The past year now marks the second highest recorded year for such arrivals since records began back in 2018.
Historically, immigration has been at the forefront of political discourse within the UK, playing a pivotal role during the 2016 EU referendum campaign. Yet since the Brexit vote, successive governments have struggled to manage both legal and illegal migration effectively.
The new legislation and its accompanying provisions will undoubtedly affect the lives of many vulnerable individuals seeking refuge and protection within British borders. Critics of the government's stance argue this not only limits the safety and security of genuine asylum seekers but sends a stark message about the country’s commitment to upholding human rights.
Starmer did not respond immediately to requests for comments on this controversial matter, and the interior ministry echoed his silence. The Labour Party continues to balance its political promises with the stark realities facing them as they try to fulfill what many see as their electoral mandate to reform the approach to immigration.
The response to the situation remains uncertain. Can the government reconcile the need for stricter borders and the necessity to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable populations? With immigration still dominating public conversation, the coming months promise to be pivotal.