Migration has long been one of the biggest concerns raised with me by people across Dover and Deal. Whether it is pressure on local services, the impact on housing, or the unfairness people feel when the system is not working properly, residents want to see a system that is controlled, fair and properly enforced. The latest migration figures show that progress is now being made — and that this Labour Government is beginning to deliver on the promises made to the British people.
The new statistics show that net migration has fallen to 171,000, almost half the level seen just a year earlier and the lowest figure since 2012 outside of the pandemic years. At the same time, asylum claims have fallen, the number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels has reduced significantly, and removals of illegal migrants and foreign criminals are increasing. These are important signs that the Home Office is getting on with the job it was elected to do.
Restoring Order to the Immigration System
For too long, the immigration system was allowed to drift out of control. Under the previous Conservative government, migration reached record highs while confidence in the system collapsed. Local communities were repeatedly told that numbers would come down, but instead they continued to rise year after year. The British public lost trust because promises were made and then broken.
That is why these latest figures matter. They show that practical decisions and tougher rules can make a real difference. Measures to tighten visa rules, increase salary thresholds and reduce dependence on cheap overseas labour are now starting to have an effect. The Government is also introducing a more skills-based migration system that ensures people who come to Britain contribute fairly and help strengthen the economy. I am proud that the Home Office is now taking these issues seriously and beginning to restore order to the system.
Progress on Asylum Hotels and Removals
The reduction in the number of asylum seekers being housed in hotels is particularly welcome. Communities across the country have been frustrated at seeing taxpayers footing an enormous bill while the asylum backlog grew unchecked. Bringing those numbers down is a sign that the system is finally moving in the right direction.
But nobody in government is pretending the job is finished. Patience is key. There is still a great deal more to do to secure our borders, speed up asylum decisions, tackle illegal migration and rebuild public confidence completely. People rightly expect firm enforcement alongside fairness, and they expect politicians to be honest about the scale of the challenge. That means continuing to reduce unsustainable migration levels while ensuring Britain still attracts the skills and talent our economy genuinely needs.
Commitment to Dover and Deal
I was elected by the people of Dover and Deal to stand up for our community and to make sure your concerns are heard in Parliament. Immigration remains one of the biggest issues residents raise with me on the doorstep and in my inbox.
I recognise that strength of feeling, and I understand why people want to see change. That is why as your MP and Immigration Minister I will continue working with the Government and in the Home Office to deliver the controlled, fair and effective immigration system that the people of Dover and Deal expect and deserve.
