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| MPs debating illegal immigration clamp down plans | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Legislation to clamp down on illegal immigration in the UK is being debated by MPs for the first time later. | |
| The Immigration Bill proposes a new offence of illegal working, with the power for police to seize wages. | The Immigration Bill proposes a new offence of illegal working, with the power for police to seize wages. |
| The bill would also deny illegal migrants access to banking and housing, and boost immigration officers' powers. | The bill would also deny illegal migrants access to banking and housing, and boost immigration officers' powers. |
| The government says it want to stamp out abuse of the system, but Labour has branded the bill "disproportionate, divisive [and] deceitful". | The government says it want to stamp out abuse of the system, but Labour has branded the bill "disproportionate, divisive [and] deceitful". |
| The second reading debate, which will cover the general aims and principles of the government's plans, is taking place in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon. | |
| 'Play by the rules' | 'Play by the rules' |
| It comes after Home Secretary Theresa May was criticised by business groups and political opponents for an uncompromising speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to crack down on immigration, warning that high migration made a "cohesive society" impossible. | It comes after Home Secretary Theresa May was criticised by business groups and political opponents for an uncompromising speech to Conservative Party conference in which she pledged to crack down on immigration, warning that high migration made a "cohesive society" impossible. |
| Under the Immigration Bill, people who work illegally in England and Wales would face up to six months in prison, and the police would be given the power to seize wages as the "proceeds of crime". | Under the Immigration Bill, people who work illegally in England and Wales would face up to six months in prison, and the police would be given the power to seize wages as the "proceeds of crime". |
| A Right to Rent scheme will require landlords to carry out checks on prospective tenants, such as seeing their passport or visa, to ascertain their immigration status. | A Right to Rent scheme will require landlords to carry out checks on prospective tenants, such as seeing their passport or visa, to ascertain their immigration status. |
| Failing to do so would be a criminal offence leading to a fine or a jail sentence. | Failing to do so would be a criminal offence leading to a fine or a jail sentence. |
| It would also become an offence for businesses and recruitment agencies to hire abroad without first advertising in the UK - a policy which featured prominently in Labour's election manifesto. | It would also become an offence for businesses and recruitment agencies to hire abroad without first advertising in the UK - a policy which featured prominently in Labour's election manifesto. |
| And it would introduce a duty on public authorities to ensure that public sector workers in public-facing roles can speak fluent English. | And it would introduce a duty on public authorities to ensure that public sector workers in public-facing roles can speak fluent English. |
| 'Casual discrimination' | 'Casual discrimination' |
| According to Home Office Minister James Brokenshire: "Anyone who thinks the UK is a soft touch should be in no doubt - if you are here illegally, we will take action to stop you from working, renting a flat, opening a bank account or driving a car. | According to Home Office Minister James Brokenshire: "Anyone who thinks the UK is a soft touch should be in no doubt - if you are here illegally, we will take action to stop you from working, renting a flat, opening a bank account or driving a car. |
| "As a one nation government we will continue to crack down on abuse and build an immigration system that works in the best interests of the British people and those who play by the rules." | "As a one nation government we will continue to crack down on abuse and build an immigration system that works in the best interests of the British people and those who play by the rules." |
| Labour supports certain aspects of the bill - including greater sanctions against employers of illegal immigrants and the English-speaking requirement. | Labour supports certain aspects of the bill - including greater sanctions against employers of illegal immigrants and the English-speaking requirement. |
| But it opposes other measures, including new requirements on private landlords which shadow home secretary Andy Burnham claims will promote "everyday racism" and make discrimination against foreigners more likely. | But it opposes other measures, including new requirements on private landlords which shadow home secretary Andy Burnham claims will promote "everyday racism" and make discrimination against foreigners more likely. |
| In a letter to Labour MPs, he said the party should vote against the legislation if its reasoned amendment is not accepted. | In a letter to Labour MPs, he said the party should vote against the legislation if its reasoned amendment is not accepted. |
| "If passed in its current form, [the bill] could damage social cohesion, cause harm to children, have a deleterious effect on civil liberties and lead to widespread casual discrimination," he wrote. | "If passed in its current form, [the bill] could damage social cohesion, cause harm to children, have a deleterious effect on civil liberties and lead to widespread casual discrimination," he wrote. |
| The Home Office has said anyone who discriminates would be breaking the law. | The Home Office has said anyone who discriminates would be breaking the law. |