Rachel Reeves claims Labour's asylum amnesty will save cash (Image: House of Commons)

       Labour’s asylum amnesty will save taxpayers billions, Rachel Reeves has claimed.

       The Chancellor launched a blistering attack on the Conservatives’ record on asylum, claiming they were ￡6.4 billion over budget.

       And she insisted Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s plan to allow migrants to claim asylum – even if they crossed the Channel in a small boat – will save cash.

       The Treasury said allowing tens of thousands of people to claim asylum and scrapping the Rwanda will save ￡800m this year and ￡1.4 billion next year.

       Ms Reeves said: “The Illegal Migration Act, passed by the previous Government, made it impossible to process asylum applications and remove those with no right to be here.

       Labour claims their asylum amnesty will save ￡800m (Image: House of Commons)

       “Instead, they relied on a doomed policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda on planes that never took off, leaving tens of thousands of people stuck in hotels on the public purse.

       “We need a properly controlled and managed asylum system where rules are enforced so that those with no right to be here are swiftly removed.

       “So we have scrapped the Rwanda scheme which placed huge pressure on the Home Office budget

       “To bring down these costs as soon as possible, my Right Honourable Friend the Home Secretary has already laid legislation to remove the retrospective elements of the Illegal Migration Act, which will significantly reduce the use of hotel accommodation.

       “These measures will save nearly ￡800 million this year and avoid costs spiralling even further next years.”

       Ms Cooper last week told MPs she would reverse part of former prime minister Rishi Sunak's Illegal Migration Act.

       The legislation has barred anyone arriving in the UK illegally since March 2023 from being granted asylum, with these people having been earmarked for removal to the east African nation.

       The Refugee Council estimates that between 60,000 and 90,000 people will be granted asylum despite having entered the country illegally.

       Trending

       Writing in the Daily Express, Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly warned that Britain is “sleepwalking into a nightmare of small boats crossings this summer”.

       The Channel migrant crisis has placed an unprecedented pressure on the UK asylum system.

       And Ms Reeves accused the Conservatives of running up an “undisclosed” ￡6.4 billion overspend on asylum and the Rwanda scheme.

       Speaking in the Commons, the Chancellor said: “The forecast for the number of asylum seekers has risen dramatically since the last spending review, and costs for asylum support have risen sevenfold in the past three years.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Outrage as Labour make 'crazy move' in plot to bring UK closer to EU

       1132 Comments

       “But instead of reflecting these costs in the Home Office budget for this year, the previous government covered up the true extent of this crisis and its spending implications.

       “The document I am publishing today reveals a projected overspend on the asylum system, including their failed Rwanda plan, for this year alone of more than ￡6.4 billion. That was unfunded and it was undisclosed.”

       Related articles Migration chaos warning as thousands set to cross Channel within days Fury erupts over Labour 'amnesty' for 90,000 illegal migrants Farage blasts 'Sunday morning in Dover' in brutal eight-word Starmer slapdown New pictures show dinghies struggling to stay afloat as migrants head for UK

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy