Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government is under fire for its plan to grant amnesty to over 44,000 illegal migrants, a move that critics say will severely strain Britain’s welfare system. The policy would allow these migrants, who would have previously been deported to countries like Rwanda, to stay in the UK and access full welfare benefits.
An internal report from the Home Office has highlighted the potential financial impact of this decision, estimating that the long-term cost could reach £17.8 billion. This projection starkly contrasts with the £7 billion in savings that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper claims will result from ending the deportation policy.
Opponents of the amnesty warn that it will place a significant burden on public services already struggling to meet demand. Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has expressed concerns that the influx of new welfare recipients will lead to longer waiting times for GP services, increased competition for social housing, and further strain on the education system. Jenrick also criticized Starmer for giving in to people-smuggling gangs and shifting the financial burden onto the British public.
Labour defends the policy, arguing that it will save money in the long term by reducing the need for costly asylum accommodations. However, with over 20,000 illegal migrants having crossed the English Channel this year, many are questioning whether the UK’s public services can withstand the additional pressure.
