UK sets out asylum-banning plan for boat migrants

New legislation will mean anyone who arrives on small boats will be prevented from claiming asylum and deported to so-called safe third countries

Refugee Council charity says genuine refugees would be ‘locked up like criminals’ under plans, which ‘shatter’ UK’s commitments under UN refugee convention

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A video grab shows Britain’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday presenting to parliament legislation aimed at curbing migrant boat arrivals. Photo: via AFP

Published: 10:14pm, 7 Mar 2023

Britain set out details on Tuesday of a new law barring the entry of asylum seekers to the UK in small boats, a proposal that some refugee charities say could be impractical and criminalise the efforts of thousands of genuine refugees.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping boat arrivals one of his five key priorities after the number of migrants arriving on the south coast of England soared to more than 45,000 last year, with around 90 per cent applying for asylum.

The new legislation will mean anyone who arrives on small boats will be prevented from claiming asylum and deported to so-called safe third countries.

“They will not stop coming here until the world knows that if you enter Britain illegally, you will be detained and swiftly removed,” interior minister Suella Braverman told parliament.

“This bill enables detention of illegal arrivals without bail or judicial review within the first 28 days of detention until they can be removed.”

Braverman said those entering the country illegally would no longer be able to use anti-slavery laws to try to block removal.