Home Secretary promises tougher measures to address illegal migration and cross-Channel boat journeys

Suella Braverman has vowed to implement new measures aimed at curbing the abuse of immigration rules as she prepares to address the Conservative Party conference. The Home Secretary, in her speech, will outline plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier to deport individuals who enter the UK illegally and renew calls for stronger French intervention to halt the increasing number of boats crossing the English Channel.

While challenging the government’s controversial Rwanda deportation policy is ongoing in the courts, Braverman will commit to exploring further powers to ensure the UK’s stance on illegal immigration is not obstructed by modern slavery laws, the Human Rights Act, or the European Court of Human Rights.

In her speech, Braverman will stress the importance of welcoming those in genuine need, drawing on her own family’s experience of immigration in the 1960s. She will state, “It’s right that we extend the hand of friendship to those in genuine need. This country has always done so.” However, she will also emphasise the need to balance compassion with controlling immigration that serves the UK’s economic interests. “We need to end abuse of the rules and cut down on those numbers that aren’t meeting the needs of our economy,” she will say.

The Home Secretary will also announce plans to intensify efforts to combat dangerous cross-Channel migration. This includes working with the French to increase interceptions, providing additional British support to tackle criminal gangs, and enforcing the Nationality and Borders Act to prosecute illegal arrivals to the UK.