[1st Allocated Day]

Part of Nationality and Borders Bill – in the House of Commons at 5:51 pm on 19 July 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Priti Patel Priti Patel The Secretary of State for the Home Department 5:51, 19 July 2021

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I will shortly address some of these wider issues, but obviously, along with our work on safe and legal routes, we have to provide the right pathways and a secure environment for children to rebuild their lives. That is at the heart of our work in being humane, compassionate and fair.

Our system is overwhelmed, and it is a strong point of reflection that, because of the trends we have been seeing in organised immigration crime and gangs that are effectively exploiting vulnerable individuals, we now need to be able to provide support and to understand where those needs are coming from. Genuine people are being elbowed aside by those who are paying traffickers to come to our country.