Illegal Immigration Debate

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Department: Home Office

Illegal Immigration

Richard Graham Excerpts
Wednesday 15th November 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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I am wondering whether the microphones are working. There has been a tenfold increase in the pace of asylum processing this last year. We are increasing it. The things are not mutually exclusive; we are doing all of them.

Richard Graham Portrait Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con)
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It is great to have the Home Secretary in his new role, and to hear his confirmation that small boat arrivals are down not just by a fifth, but now by a third, and that he will find a treaty to resolve the remaining legal issues on the Rwanda deal. Will my right hon. Friend also encourage his officials to share the data on asylum applications that are over a year old with Members of Parliament, so that with our local councils we can prepare housing solutions in advance?

James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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I will absolutely take that idea on board. We want to do everything we can to make sure that this process is as quick and as smooth as possible.