Mansfield MP pleased to see Government taking a 'robust view' on illegal immigration

One of the major issues people have contacted me about through recess has been the illegal immigrants crossing the channel in small boats and being put up in hotels at the taxpayer’s expense.

I absolutely understand people’s frustration and anger with this issue, and I have been assured that the Government will resolve this as soon as possible.

I was glad to see the minister taking a pretty robust view, being clear that the UK needs to make sure the boats aren’t leaving France in the first place.

It also needs to make sure Britain’s domestic rules and immigration system is working for British taxpayers first and foremost and not leave them with a huge bill for people coming here illegally.

In his answer to my question, the minister confirmed that the hotel situation was meant to be a short-term solution during the COVID pandemic and was never intended to be a long-term or permanent solution.

The Government is in the process to make arrangements to unwind this as quickly as possible and it is looking at legislation to make sure the asylum system loopholes are tightened.

I’m really pleased to hear that the Home Office is actively looking at what legislation is needed to make it work for British people, which I know is so important for the people of Mansfield.

We also had the Fisheries Bill, which is the legislation Britain needs to take back control of its fisheries and management of UK water s.

The legislation prevents foreign fishing vessels from coming into British waters without a license and our permission which was a key part of Brexit.

This is another step the Government has taken to make sure the Conservatives are delivering on their Brexit promises, which is what the country voted for.

Locally, I have continued to deliver my leaflets to make sure everyone knows what I have been doing over the last year.

I’ve also had meetings talking about devolution, about how this will work and how it can benefit Mansfield, which I will keep people up to date on too.

Ben Bradley is MP for Mansfield.