A Labour MP has accused Yvette Cooper of 'scapegoating' asylum seekers as the Home Secretary unveiled reforms to the border security and asylum system. Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, called for 'more humane policies' such as safe routes for migrants, criticising the Government's plans.
Speaking in the Commons, Johnson said: 'In the Home Secretary's statement, she has stated that she will never seek to stir up chaos, hatred and division. Yet that's what we've seen this summer, with the far-right emboldened because of racism and demonisation in the media and from politicians. And instead of scapegoating refugees and asylum seekers, maybe the Home Secretary needs to be thinking about more humane policies, including safe routes employment and right to remain.'
Fellow Labour MP Graham Stringer, representing Blackley and Middleton South, also criticised the proposals, arguing they 'don't really deal with the fact that many migrants are not coming from war-torn countries'. He suggested the UK should look at measures taken by Denmark to reduce 'demand pull', which he said was the reason migrants believe they will have an easier time in the UK than in France.
In response, Cooper said immigration should be approached 'in a way that pulls our country together, rather than see division and tension continue'. She highlighted a pilot scheme with France to return people on a one-for-one basis, and a 50% increase in illegal working raids. She also noted that Denmark had increased the time before refugees can apply for family reunion to prevent criminal gangs using it as a pull factor.
