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MPs debating illegal immigration clamp down plans May outlines plans to clamp down on illegal immigration
(34 minutes later)
Legislation to clamp down on illegal immigration in the UK is being debated by MPs for the first time later. Clamping down on illegal immigration will mean "greater fairness to British citizens and legitimate migrants", Home Secretary Theresa May has said.
The Immigration Bill proposes a new offence of illegal working, with the power for police to seize wages. As MPs debate the government's Immigration Bill for the first time, Mrs May said its objective was to protect those who "play by the rules".
The bill would also deny illegal migrants access to banking and housing, and boost immigration officers' powers. It proposes a new offence of illegal working and requires landlords to carry out checks on prospective tenants.
The government says it want to stamp out abuse of the system, but Labour has branded the bill "disproportionate, divisive [and] deceitful". Labour's Andy Burnham said the bill was "unpleasant and insidious".
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. He told MPs that the bill was "driven by a desire to generate headlines" and would do nothing to bring the government closer to its target of reducing net migration from more than 300,000 currently to the tens of thousands.
Tuesday's second reading debate, which will cover the general aims and principles of the government's plans, is taking place in the House of Commons.
'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 Mrs 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.
Mrs May told MPs that the capacity to work illegally was one of the "pull factors" encouraging people to come to the UK, where they often ended up working in "depressing and dangerous conditions" and being exploited by organised criminal gangs.
Illegal working was affecting "reputable businesses", she added, by depressing pay and conditions in different industries and parts of the country.
'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. She also defended plans to require landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants, saying they were not "expected to become immigration experts" but would be able to call a new helpline where they would be given a "very simple message" about what to do.
"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 Mr 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. "Landlords are not border or immigration experts," he told MPs. "They are not trained in reading official paperwork...They are not experts in spotting forged documents. On what basis are we planning to outsource immigration control to them?"
"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. He insisted that immigration had had a net positive impact on the British economy but there needed to be "rules that make immigration work for everyone" - including a new "rapid migration fund" - paid for out of EU structural funds - to ensure poorer areas of the country with disproportionately high levels of immigration had the ability to provide extra school places and GP appointments.
The Home Office has said anyone who discriminates would be breaking the law. He also questioned why the government should be given "sweeping powers" to deport migrants and asylum seekers before they had the chance to appeal, saying it would prevent people "exercising their legitimate rights".