Suella Braverman has said “we must stop the boats” as she prepares to unveil the Government’s new plan to tackle the migrant crisis – admitting it “pushes the boundaries of international law.”
The Home Secretary said the asylum system is being “overwhelmed”, adding that more than 45,000 people last year made the “unsafe, unnecessary and illegal journey across the Channel”.
In a video shared online, Braverman said: “We are now spending almost £7million a day on hotels.”
She added that stopping the boats was her “top priority.”
The Home Secretary has said stopping the boats is her "top priority"
Reuters
It comes ahead of her and Rishi Sunak’s new illegal migration Bill to tackle the small boat crisis.
Speaking about the legislation, the Home Secretary said: “This Bill will mean that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to stay.
“You will be detained and remove to your home country if safe, or a safe third country like Rwanda.”
Braverman added “it’s not fair” for people to travel through safe countries to arrive in the UK illegally and “jump the queue” saying: “Enough is enough.”
More 45,000 people made the journey across the Channel in 2022
PA
Braverman has warned any MP that wishes to oppose the new migration laws will be betraying the British people.
Writing in the Telegraph, the Home Secretary said: “We must stop the boats and that’s what our bill will do. No more sticking plasters or shying away from the difficult decisions.
“Myself and the Prime Minister have been working tirelessly to ensure we have a bill that works – we’ve pushed the boundaries of international law to solve this crisis.
“Labour and others who oppose these measures are betraying hard-working Brits up and down the country - they don’t have any answers themselves but they will still seek to block us in Parliament.
Braverman said the asylum system is "overwhelmed"
PA
“This is about fairness and ensuring that tens of thousands of migrants each year are not jumping the queue.
“Millions more are waiting to come to our shores - we have to stop the scourge of criminal gangs taking advantage of people and putting them in danger by coming across the channel.
“If you come here illegally it must be that you cannot stay.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame.
More 45,000 people made the journey across the Channel in 2022
PA
“They discussed the UK-Rwanda migration partnership and our joint efforts to break the business model of criminal people smugglers and address humanitarian issues.
“The leaders committed to continue working together to ensure this important partnership is delivered successfully.
“The Prime Minister and President Kagame also discussed the concerning escalation in violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and international efforts to support a lasting peaceful resolution.”
The Prime Minister has previously said stopping the small boats was one of his top five priorities.