The London Assembly has condemned the use of inflammatory language such as that used by the Home Secretary on 31 October 2022 to describe migrants fleeing persecution and conflict.
Today the Assembly agreed a motion calling on the Home Office to undertake a review of the UK’s asylum system to ensure a fair and firm points-based system.
Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion said:
“London is open, asylum seekers are welcome. Diverse communities have made our capital the unique, vibrant, and welcoming city it is today.
“Dehumanising people inflames real, or perceived, tensions and sets a dangerous precedent that cannot be allowed to take hold.
“I condemn the use of hostile language to describe those fleeing conflict and persecution, and also the smuggling gangs who seek to exploit their suffering.
"Recent allegations of abuse of vulnerable asylum seekers are sickening. The government must conduct a comprehensive review of asylum processes and also ensure a robust, fair points-based immigration system.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly condemns the use of inflammatory language such as that used by the Home Secretary on 31 October 2022 to describe migrants fleeing persecution and conflict. This Assembly considers this rhetoric is a continuation of the Home Office’s Hostile Environment policy with regard to non-UK born citizens which includes millions of Londoners.
Whilst it is important that criminal gangs who profit from individuals’ desperation and the fraud arising from this is legally challenged through the immigration and criminal justice system, in tackling this problem the Home Office’s approach should not inflame real or perceived tensions, risk increasing hate crime and leave migrants or would-be asylum seekers in dangerous conditions.
This Assembly supports the call from the Mayor of London to the Home Office for an urgent and thorough review of its failure of duty of care towards asylum seekers. This Assembly calls on the Home Office to undertake a review of the UK’s asylum system to ensure a fair and firm points-based immigration system.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed by 12 votes for and 3 against.
- Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Bowden on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.