RAMP MPs Take Part in Debate on the Government’s Immigration White Paper
Yesterday evening, there was a Commons Chamber debate on the government's immigration White Paper published earlier that day. The White Paper outlines the government’s plans to "radically reform" the immigration system and sets out policies aimed at reducing migration, tightening UK visa eligibility, and embedding migration policy within broader labour market, skills and integration strategies.
3 RAMP MP’s took part in the debate:
Tim Farron highlighted concerns about the impact of staffing shortages in social care on healthcare services in Cumbria, including delays in A&E, cancer treatment, and ambulance response times. He asked the Home Secretary to assess how recent migration policy changes might affect patients and NHS staff, noting that many migrants in their community work in care roles.
Chris Murray welcomed the Home Secretary's recent measures, noting that the "public has been awaiting a comprehensive strategy on legal migration for many years". He welcomed the Home Secretary’s recent action on the health and social care visa, citing concerns about labour market disruption and reports of exploitation. He asked whether the measures mentioned will be "fully modern-slavery proofed".
Olivia Blake expressed concern about the portrayal of migrants as outsiders, stating that many are established members of local communities. She cautioned that such characterisations could contribute to social division and potentially influence extremist behaviour, referencing to the riots that occurred the previous summer.