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13 December 2023 - Migration and asylum - Oral evidence

Committee Home Affairs Committee
Inquiry Migration and asylum

Wednesday 13 December 2023

Start times: 2:00pm (private) 2:30pm (public)


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Home Office ministers questioned on Rwanda, Channel crossings and migration strategy 

The Home Affairs Committee will question Home Office ministers responsible for legal and illegal migration in an evidence session focussing on migration and asylum issues. 

Meeting details

At 2:30pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry Migration and asylum
Minister for Illegal Migration at Home Office
Minister for Legal Migration and Delivery at Home Office
Director General, Migration and Borders at Home Office

Likely areas of questioning

In the week that the House of Commons votes on the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, the Committee will examine the Government’s approach to tackling irregular migration. The session will examine whether the Government’s Rwanda scheme will meet its stated aims including driving down the cost of the asylum system and acting as a deterrent. 

By current grant rates, 75% of those who have crossed the channel in 2023 would be granted asylum. The Committee will examine what is being done to ensure safe and legal routes exist. It will also examine how the prioritising of irregular asylum routes has impacted wider asylum and immigration responsibilities, such as visa processing. 

In response to the net migration figure being revised upwards to 745,000 for the year 2022, the Government has announced a five point plan to reduce this figure in future years. The Committee will question ministers on the overall aims of its legal migration policy. It will also look at the likely impact of the recently announced initiatives, such as the increase of the Skilled Worker earnings threshold to £38,700, on key sectors of the economy and wider society. 

Location

The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House

How to attend