David Hanson MP, Labour’s Shadow Immigration Minister, responding to the Government’s immigration announcement, said:
“It is essential to have strong borders and to take action on illegal working. That’s why Labour has pushed for extensions to gangmaster legislation, to increase fines and pledged 1000 extra border staff at the General Election.
“This is the third time the Government have announced forms of these plans which have yet to be scrutinised by parliament in the as yet unpublished Immigration Bill. They are simply trying to look tough before Thursday’s migration figures and in the wake of failures at Calais.
“When these proposals finally come before Parliament, ministers need to explain how they will work in practice, how they will be enforced and why they won’t extend gangmaster legislation to tackle traffickers at source.“