The Labour Party’s proposed amnesty for over 44,000 illegal migrants is raising concerns about the potential impact on Britain’s welfare system. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government plans to end the deportation of illegal migrants to third-party countries, like Rwanda, instead allowing them to stay in the UK and access welfare benefits.
A Home Office report has projected that the cost of integrating these migrants into the welfare system could reach £17.8 billion over their lifetimes, a figure that significantly exceeds the £7 billion in savings claimed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Critics argue that this policy will place an undue burden on British taxpayers and worsen the strain on public services.
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick has criticized the amnesty, stating that it will lead to increased demand for GP appointments, social housing, and school places, all of which are already in high demand. Jenrick also accused Starmer of capitulating to people-smuggling gangs, warning that British citizens will ultimately bear the financial burden of this policy.
Labour argues that the policy will save money in the long run by avoiding the costs associated with indefinite detention and asylum accommodations. However, with over 20,000 illegal migrants already having crossed the English Channel this year, the debate over the long-term impact of this amnesty on the UK’s welfare system continues to intensify.
