Immigration Bill Passes UK Commons 264-90 Despite 14 Labour Rebellions

The immigration and asylum bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday evening by 264 votes to 90, The Guardian reported. Labour MP Andy Burnham voted in favor despite a rebellion by 14 party members. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced further amendments before the vote, including removal of a legal protection that had prevented deportation of some long-term Commonwealth citizens convicted of serious crimes.

She said the changes aimed to restore public confidence in the asylum system. Mahmood stated that Labour had increased arrests of people smugglers by 55 percent since taking office. Asylum decisions reached a 24-year high and removals stood at their highest level in almost a decade, she added.

The government also reported that the number of people housed in asylum hotels had fallen by almost 30 percent. Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, voted against the bill. She said there was little evidence the legislation would solve the problems it claimed to address.

Stella Creasy questioned plans to reassess refugees’ status every 30 months under a new core protection route. Tony Vaughan warned that poor Home Office decision-making, rather than the tribunal system, was driving the volume of appeals. The Conservatives opposed the bill.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said leaving the European convention on human rights remained necessary to curb irregular migration, but his amendment was defeated.