Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaks in the Commons on Monday (Image: PA)
Labour‘s immigration reforms have cleared their latest Commons hurdle after being backed by MPs including PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham.
The Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is aimed at tackling the small boats crisis, passed its second reading last night by 264 votes to 90, majority 174.
However, the proposals came under fire from some Labour backbenchers and 14 rebelled against the Government.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “This country has always provided sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution and I’m proud of that fact. But we must accept that public consent for our asylum system is fraying.
“Unless we restore control we will lose the British people’s support entirely.
“My goal as Home Secretary is to rebuild the public’s confidence and thereby ensure we can continue providing protection to those in need, today and for generations to come.
“To do so, I believe we must restore fairness to our asylum system, fairness both to those who are fleeing war and persecution, and also fairness towards those communities who already bear the burden.”
