Britain’s immigration system must work for British people and people right here in Mid Bedfordshire – that’s what I’ve heard from you since I was elected.
That’s why I’m delighted to have been appointed Shadow Home Office Minister by Kemi Badenoch.
Public confidence in our immigration system has been eroded over many years.
Whether it is illegal Channel crossings, rising asylum backlogs, record levels of legal migration, or difficulties removing those with no right to remain, many people increasingly feel that the system is not working for our country. And they are right.
Restoring trust requires a clear understanding of how our immigration system functions, where it has failed, and what meaningful reform should look like.
As Parliament begins scrutinising the Government’s Immigration and Asylum Bill, I will examine its proposals carefully.
Efforts to improve efficiency, reduce backlogs and strengthen enforcement are welcome, but the key question is whether these reforms address the deeper structural problems that have developed over decades.
One of the most important lessons from recent years is that immigration policy cannot be understood through illegal migration alone.
While small boat crossings rightly attract attention, an immigration system is only as strong as its weakest route.
Focusing exclusively on illegal entry while overlooking weaknesses elsewhere risks treating symptoms rather than causes.
Positive immigration
Earlier this year, I published Backdoors to Britain, setting out 30 recommendations to strengthen the integrity of our visa system.
The principle is straightforward: immigration should support our economy and address genuine skills shortages, while ensuring routes into the UK are properly regulated and resistant to abuse.
This is not an argument against all immigration. Britain has benefited enormously from talented people from around the world.
But a successful immigration system must be selective, controlled and connected to our economic and social interests.
That is why I am concerned by proposals to replace supervised, in-person English language testing for visa applicants with a remote model.
Industry experts have raised concerns about fraud and abuse. Weakening safeguards risks creating opportunities for organised criminal networks to exploit the system.
Good immigration policy requires attention to detail. Visa rules, identity checks, language testing, compliance monitoring and enforcement all form part of the same system.
Weakness in one area eventually creates pressure elsewhere.
There are no simple solutions, but change should be guided by fairness, transparency, effective enforcement and the national interest.
We must secure our borders, close loopholes, attract the talent Britain needs and ensure every route into the country operates with integrity. Only then can we rebuild the confidence that has been lost.
This is a monthly guest column provided by
Blake Stephenson, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire.
It is published unedited and does not
reflect the views of the Bedford Independent.
