Tim Farron MP argued that asylum seekers should be allowed to work and opposed requiring refugees to repay asylum support costs. He said the Bill's appeals reforms could reduce decision quality and noted that it doesn't mention the pause on family reunion routes. [End]

In her response, the Home Secretary said that removals of foreign national offenders have increased significantly, with around 60,000 removals since the government took office, and are expected to continue rising. (7)

She highlighted concerns about the potential impact of the changes on integration, noting that leaving refugees in prolonged uncertainty could undermine their ability to integrate into local communities.

Other parliamentarians at the debate referred to examples from their constituencies also raising concerns about retrospectivity, noting that migrants planned their lives around a 5-year settlement route and that mid-way rule changes affect fairness, trust, and credibility. (5)

He also said the government is piloting a scheme in four councils that provides access to immigration advice, short-term accommodation, and a named Home Office contact for rough sleeping.