Latest news with #AsylumandImmigrationBill
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI to be given powers to seize electronic devices to combat immigration crime
Under the proposed Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill currently progressing through Parliament authorities will have new tools to combat criminal gangs. Speaking on the legislation, Minister of State at the Home Office, Lord David Hanson, described it as a "turbocharge" to current enforcement capabilities. 'Our Borders Bill will turbocharge efforts to combat irregular migration and organised immigration crime,' he said. 'It will equip law enforcement across the UK with new tools to better identify, disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks behind this vile trade.' Among the key measures is the expansion of powers to seize electronic devices such as mobile phones believed to contain intelligence on people-smuggling operations. These powers will be extended to police forces across the UK, including the PSNI, and are inspired by counterterrorism protocols. Lord Hanson highlighted that the enhanced authority will 'provide critical insights into the operations of smuggling gangs'. 'This change will deliver greater intelligence on these people smuggling gangs, enhancing investigations and strengthening the collective response to bring criminals to justice,' he added. The Bill draws directly from counterterrorism strategies, allowing earlier interventions in smuggling networks. It includes provisions to criminalise the supply or possession of materials suspected to be used in illegal crossings, such as parts for small boats, bringing immigration enforcement more in line with anti-terror practices. The proposed powers come in response to a recent report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which welcomed the potential for electronic device seizures to yield valuable information on criminal activity. However, officials have stressed that any device seizure, retention, or data extraction will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and subject to strict oversight and safeguards. The measures are part of the Government's broader 'Plan for Change' strategy, which aims to restore order to the UK's asylum and immigration systems. Law enforcement agencies are said to be working 'round the clock' to dismantle smuggling operations. Last month, a major Home Office operation in Northern Ireland targeting people-smuggling networks led to more than 30 arrests and the seizure of assets worth £160,000. Simultaneously, the newly formed Border Security Command is working to 'deepen international collaboration in the fight against irregular migration'. The Government's efforts have also been underpinned by a substantial financial commitment. On June 11, the Chancellor announced up to £280m per year in funding for the Border Security Command. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill is scheduled to enter Committee Stage in the House of Lords next week.
Belfast Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
More than 900 people arrived in small boats on Friday
Data from the Home Office indicated 919 people made the journey in 14 boats on June 13, taking the provisional annual total to 16,183. This is 42% higher than the same point last year and 79% up on the same date in 2023, according to PA news agency analysis. It is not the highest daily number so far this year, which came on May 31, when 1,195 people arrived. People thought to be migrants were pictured being brought into Dover on an RNLI lifeboat on Friday, while others were brought ashore by the Border Force. Rachel Reeves announced earlier this week that the Government will end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this parliament. Unveiling her spending review on Wednesday, the Chancellor set out how funding will be provided to cut the asylum backlog. She told MPs: 'I can confirm today that led by the work of the Home Secretary, we will be ending the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers in this parliament. 'Funding that I have provided today, including from the transformation fund, will cut the asylum backlog, hear more appeal cases and return people who have no right to be here, saving the taxpayer £1 billion a year.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'That is why this Government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage, and why we are investing up to an additional £280 million per year by 2028-29 in the Border Security Command. 'Through international intelligence-sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders.'
North Wales Chronicle
14-06-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
More than 900 people arrived in small boats on Friday
Data from the Home Office indicated 919 people made the journey in 14 boats on June 13, taking the provisional annual total to 16,183. This is 42% higher than the same point last year and 79% up on the same date in 2023, according to PA news agency analysis. It is not the highest daily number so far this year, which came on May 31, when 1,195 people arrived. People thought to be migrants were pictured being brought into Dover on an RNLI lifeboat on Friday, while others were brought ashore by the Border Force. Rachel Reeves announced earlier this week that the Government will end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this parliament. Unveiling her spending review on Wednesday, the Chancellor set out how funding will be provided to cut the asylum backlog. She told MPs: 'I can confirm today that led by the work of the Home Secretary, we will be ending the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers in this parliament. 'Funding that I have provided today, including from the transformation fund, will cut the asylum backlog, hear more appeal cases and return people who have no right to be here, saving the taxpayer £1 billion a year.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'That is why this Government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage, and why we are investing up to an additional £280 million per year by 2028-29 in the Border Security Command. 'Through international intelligence-sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders.'
Glasgow Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
More than 900 people arrived in small boats on Friday
Data from the Home Office indicated 919 people made the journey in 14 boats on June 13, taking the provisional annual total to 16,183. This is 42% higher than the same point last year and 79% up on the same date in 2023, according to PA news agency analysis. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover (Gareth Fuller/PA) It is not the highest daily number so far this year, which came on May 31, when 1,195 people arrived. People thought to be migrants were pictured being brought into Dover on an RNLI lifeboat on Friday, while others were brought ashore by the Border Force. Rachel Reeves announced earlier this week that the Government will end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this parliament. Unveiling her spending review on Wednesday, the Chancellor set out how funding will be provided to cut the asylum backlog. She told MPs: 'I can confirm today that led by the work of the Home Secretary, we will be ending the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers in this parliament. 'Funding that I have provided today, including from the transformation fund, will cut the asylum backlog, hear more appeal cases and return people who have no right to be here, saving the taxpayer £1 billion a year.' Rachel Reeves (Carl Court/PA) A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'That is why this Government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage, and why we are investing up to an additional £280 million per year by 2028-29 in the Border Security Command. 'Through international intelligence-sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders.'
Powys County Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
More than 900 people arrived in small boats on Friday
More than 900 people crossed the Channel in small boats on Friday, according to Government figures. Data from the Home Office indicated 919 people made the journey in 14 boats on June 13, taking the provisional annual total to 16,183. This is 42% higher than the same point last year and 79% up on the same date in 2023, according to PA news agency analysis. It is not the highest daily number so far this year, which came on May 31, when 1,195 people arrived. People thought to be migrants were pictured being brought into Dover on an RNLI lifeboat on Friday, while others were brought ashore by the Border Force. Rachel Reeves announced earlier this week that the Government will end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by the end of this parliament. Unveiling her spending review on Wednesday, the Chancellor set out how funding will be provided to cut the asylum backlog. She told MPs: 'I can confirm today that led by the work of the Home Secretary, we will be ending the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers in this parliament. 'Funding that I have provided today, including from the transformation fund, will cut the asylum backlog, hear more appeal cases and return people who have no right to be here, saving the taxpayer £1 billion a year.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. 'The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die as long as they pay, and we will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. 'That is why this Government has put together a serious plan to take down these networks at every stage, and why we are investing up to an additional £280 million per year by 2028-29 in the Border Security Command. 'Through international intelligence-sharing under our Border Security Command, enhanced enforcement operations in northern France and tougher legislation in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, we are strengthening international partnerships and boosting our ability to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs whilst strengthening the security of our borders.'
