The UK government has successfully fought off the latest challenge from the House of Lords regarding the proposed Illegal Migration Bill. In a vote in the House of Commons, MPs rejected all nine amendments put forward by the peers to change the legislation. Despite this victory, several prominent Conservative rebels, including former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and ex-justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland, supported the amendments proposed in the Lords.
Following the vote, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick called on the House of Lords to withdraw their amendments to the bill. However, it is understood that the peers will continue to pursue at least four of their proposals as the legislation returns to them for further debate tonight, with the discussion expected to extend past midnight.
The government has consistently maintained that the new law, which includes a plan for deportation to Rwanda, is the most effective way to address the issue of illegal migration, particularly via Channel crossings. However, the House of Lords has expressed concerns about the treatment of vulnerable groups, including women, children, individuals from the LGBT+ community, and victims of modern slavery.
Last week, the government made some concessions, such as reducing the length of time that lone children and pregnant women can be detained. Nevertheless, the peers’ proposals were largely rejected during a lengthy voting session. Despite this setback, the Lords sent back nine modified versions of the amendments to the Commons for further debate and voting, including restrictions on deporting LGBT+ individuals to certain countries and calls for the establishment of safe and legal migration routes.
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick described the move by the Lords as “disappointing” and argued that many of their suggestions would undermine the core aspects of the legislation. He emphasized the importance of passing a law that provides a credible deterrent and the necessary powers to support it effectively. Jenrick urged the elected House of Commons to uphold the will of the people and to prioritize securing the borders and addressing the issue of illegal migration.
During the debate, it became evident that the government would face rebellions from its own backbenchers, as well as opposition MPs. Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith highlighted the impact of the bill on victims of modern slavery, expressing concerns that it may deter individuals from cooperating with the police due to fears of being sent abroad. However, the government rejected the amendment, arguing that it could create a loophole for individuals to claim trafficking upon arrival in the UK.
Although MPs rejected the proposed amendments from the Lords by a majority of 55, thirteen Tories rebelled, including Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Tim Loughton, and Sir Robert Buckland. Separately, twelve Conservatives rebelled in support of the Lords’ call for safe and legal migration routes, eleven on the issue of unaccompanied children, and five on added protections for LGBT+ individuals.
Opposition parties criticized the government’s response to the Lords’ proposals, accusing ministers of refusing to listen and displaying “performative cruelty” towards asylum seekers. They called on the government to reconsider its treatment of asylum seekers and end what they perceive as inhumane policies.
The bill will now return to the House of Lords, and further discussions are expected before the end of the parliamentary session.
