Foundation
secure borders
Labour is serious about border control. We will deliver a fair immigration system, one that serves our national interest, and restores common sense and control to our borders.
Our work so far
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Secure BordersCracking down on illegal working by increasing raids
Our nationwide crackdown on illegal working has led to record-level raids, a 63% increase in arrests, and penalties for employers hiring illegal workers. In November, targeted action across the country led to the arrest of 171 illegal workers, including 60 detained for removal from the UK. Labour is focused on backing honest businesses and stopping wages being undercut.
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Secure Borders
Toughest powers yet to disrupt criminal smuggling gangs
Labour’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will give law enforcement agencies the toughest powers yet to take down criminal smuggling gangs. For the first time, gangs will face counterterror-style tactics – transforming our ability to detect, disrupt and prosecute those behind dangerous small boat crossings.
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Secure Borders
Landmark deals to stop small boat crossings
We have secured landmark deals with France and Germany to crack down on small boat crossings. For the first time since 2018, illegal migrants can now be returned to France, striking at the heart of the smuggling gangs’ business model.
Our agreement with Germany will close legal loopholes and allow police to seize boats being stored and transported there, before they ever reach the Channel. We are disrupting gangs at source and helping to stop dangerous crossings for good. -
Secure Borders
Restoring order and control
Labour is restoring order and control to our immigration system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly. We’ve already returned nearly 50,000 people with no right to be here, and have significantly increased removals of foreign national offenders. Asylum decision making has doubled, we’ve introduced stronger measures to cut the backlog and have committed to ending the use of asylum hotels completely by the end of this Parliament.
But we know we need to go further to restore control. We will reduce arrivals by deterring small boat crossings, increase removals by negotiating new return agreements, and introduce new capped, safe and legal routes for refugees. -
Secure Borders
Rebuilding Trust with Contribution-Based Migration
We’re fixing an immigration system that hasn’t worked for years. That means ending the old model of large-scale, low-wage migration and making sure businesses invest in training people here in Britain. We’re also tightening student and work routes to ensure the system genuinely supports the economy and serves the national interest.
Under our new rules, settlement will no longer be automatic after five years. Most people will need around ten years of working, paying in and contributing to society before they can apply to stay permanently. There will be fast-track routes for NHS staff, highly skilled workers and entrepreneurs who help Britain grow. For those who try to game the system, the wait to settle will be significantly longer and those who cross on small boats face waits of up to 30 years.
Why this is important
Britain is a tolerant and compassionate country. We have a proud tradition of welcoming people fleeing persecution and abuse. But the system needs to be controlled and managed and we need strong borders.
The small boats crisis, fuelled by dangerous criminal smuggler gangs, is undermining our security and costing lives.
Labour is delivering where the Conservatives failed and restoring order and fairness to the immigration and asylum system.
Check out what else we've done to secure our borders:
Landmark deal with France to return small boat migrants
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Returned 48,000 people with no right to be here
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Putting smuggling gangs out of business
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Targeting criminal gangs behind small boat crossings
View storyPlan for Change
Our Plan for Change sets out ambitious but achievable milestones that will be reached by the end of this Parliament as we drive forward towards delivering on our key national missions, making real improvements to the lives of working people.
Built on the foundations of economic stability, secure borders and national security, this is what Labour will deliver by the next election:
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