Swindon Advertiser Weekly Article - 7th August

One of the biggest issues facing our country at the moment is finding a solution to the migrant crises in Calais. Nobody will have escaped hearing about this problem on the news, but both its causes and its solutions are extremely complex.

I have every sympathy with holidaymakers, hauliers, and people in Kent who are facing the brunt of the disturbances at the border. Thankfully the Government is absolutely focused on seeking a resolution and maintaining the safety and security of our border £12 million has already been invested in increasing security at Calais, and last week the Prime Minister announced further investment including extra fencing and more detection dogs to search vehicles. The message is clear: our border is secure and there is no easy way into the UK.

However solving this problem is more complicated. We need to prevent migrants from embarking on a perilous journey across the Mediterranean in the first place. It is no coincidence that this crises is happening at the same time as the humanitarian crises in Syria and Iraq, as well as the civil chaos which Libya has now descended into.

As such, the solution lies in tackling these problems at the source. That’s why I am glad to see that the foreign aid budget is being used to provide humanitarian funding, providing food, shelter, medical care and clean drinking water, for hundreds of thousands of people affected by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. We are also working to clamp down on the illegal gangs who are setting up shop in Libya and making a profit by smuggling migrants to Europe.  I support all these vital measures.

Only by tackling these issues at the source will we be able to solve the migrant crises. However I am fully aware that we can’t forget that there are already migrants who have made the journey and who are actively trying to gain illegal entry into Britain. We cannot provide a sanctuary for everybody. Our infrastructure, health  care and public services are impacted and not unreasonably the British public want this problem sorted. 

That’s why this Government is reforming the welfare system so that we reduce the incentives to migrants who think that they can come to the UK and claim benefits. This includes new measures to ensure that immigrants must work and contribute National Insurance for 4 years before they can claim benefits. 

We will continue these reforms to ensure that those coming to our country are prepared to work hard and contribute. And whilst we can’t offer everybody a home, we can work towards international solutions to those who are suffering and fleeing their own homes.