Two MPs from Somerset engaged in a heated debate in Westminster Hall on Monday, October 20, sharply contrasting views on the state of the UK asylum system amid calls for urgent reform.
The debate centered on two widely supported online petitions: one calling for an end to financial support for asylum seekers, with over 427,000 signatures, and another demanding the closure of migrant hotels and deportation of their inhabitants, signed by more than 257,000 people.
Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, urged the government to overhaul the asylum process, highlighting the backlog of applications that delays decisions for over a year in most cases. He stressed the need to allow eligible asylum seekers to contribute to the workforce, particularly in the NHS and social care sectors. “The staggering incompetence of the asylum system is undermining communities and leaving crucial public services short-staffed,” Amos warned.
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Conversely, Sir Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, criticized the government’s border policies, especially its handling of small boats crossing the English Channel. Fox argued that lax enforcement damages the UK’s international standing. “The surge in crossings—up 50% since last year—signals a failure to protect our borders and emboldens people smugglers,” he said. Fox advocated for a firm cap on refugee intake modeled on the Syria resettlement scheme, permitting only those from UN camps to enter through legal routes. He condemned the current “morally repugnant” situation where individuals circumvent legal channels and secure indefinite residence.
Opening the debate, Labour MP Tony Vaughan highlighted that the heart of the issue lies in how asylum seekers are treated during application processing, including employment rights. He proposed reducing the mandatory 12-month employment ban to six months, aligning with practices in several European countries, to alleviate pressure on temporary accommodations.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris MP, acknowledged public skepticism and confirmed government efforts to address the backlog inherited from previous administrations. Norris pointed out that asylum decision-making capacity has doubled, reducing the backlog by 18 percent, and financial expenditure on hotels has decreased by £500 million. He emphasized the legal and moral responsibility to support applicants to avoid destitution, while enforcing stricter sanctions for those refusing suitable accommodation.
The vigorous exchange underscored the complexity of balancing compassionate asylum policies with public confidence and border security, illustrating deep divisions among Somerset’s representatives over the path forward.