Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie MP, says the Government is taking action to tackle the asylum backlog.
Speaking to GB News he said: “We are determined to bring the asylum backlog down which is the reason why the Prime Minister has made stopping the boats one of his top five priorities.
“Crossings across the channel is down 15% year over year, but that in no way detracts from the fact that we have got an asylum backlog. We need to tackle it. And that’s why we need to prevent people coming into this country illegally. We await to hear the judgement from the Supreme Court, but we very much hope that they will find the government’s favour because we do believe it can act as a deterrent for people to cross into the country illegally so we can tackle the fishes and pernicious trade and human life.
“We have got schemes and agreements with various third countries. For example, we’ve got an agreement with Albania that has seen Albanian migrants coming into this country reduced by some 90%. So we are taking action. And actually in comparison to what the Labour Party are proposing.
“But it can’t go on like this. And nobody’s been clear on this than the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary. This is why we want a scheme to get up and running. This is why we need to do more with our French counterparts across the channel to ensure that less people are getting all those boats. That’s why we need to crack open the trade and human life which is going on from North Africa in the Middle East all the way through into this country. That’s why we are talking to partners in that region as we speak and it’s why we absolutely must stop the boats. I’m determined to support the Prime Minister in any way I can to ensure we get this under control. Because the situation cannot continue as it is.”
