The Nationalities and Borders Bill came back in front of the House of Commons today, and I had the opportunity to outline the importance of the Bill and to raise my concerns with certain aspects of the legislation. I focused my comments on three key issues.
The first of these measures is vital to our efforts to break the business model of traffickers. I have heard the concerns of human rights lawyers who have suggested that proposals do not go far enough, and I challenged the Minister to ensure the Government would address these concerns.
The second matter related to the off shoring of asylum applications, which is vital to opening safe and legal routes for vulnerable refugees. Using expertise gathered by the Home Office, this is a practical solution and I welcome its inclusion in this Bill.
Finally, I implored the Government to allow skilled refugees seek work while in the UK to ensure that taxpayers are not footing the Bill for everyone. Along with a number of my colleagues, I firmly believe that we must revaluate existing policy to put these skills to good use. There have been good steps towards allowing refugees the right to work and I look forward to the ongoing discussion over the coming months.
I know that Ministers present listened to the concerns of myself and my colleagues from across the chamber, and I am hopeful that we will see some movement on these points before the Bill becomes law.
