DAME ANGELA EAGLE: 'Labour taking decisive action after asylum system left in disarray'

This government inherited an immigration system in disarray.

For over a decade, the Conservatives promised to take back control of Britain’s borders - but instead, they presided over unprecedented failure. People-smuggling gangs flourished, Channel crossings surged, and the asylum system collapsed under their watch.

Since taking office, this Labour government has taken decisive action to fix the mess left behind. We’ve strengthened our visa and immigration controls, increased returns of failed asylum seekers by over 30%, cut asylum costs by 11%, and reduced the backlog by 18%.

These are real results - delivered in just 12 months. We are under no illusion about the scale of the challenge that lies ahead.

That’s why we’re pressing ahead with further reforms: a new pilot with France, new counter-terror powers to protect our borders, and a major overhaul of the asylum appeals system later this year.

We’re also taking action to end the chaotic use of hotels to house asylum seekers – a legacy of Conservative failure. While the Tories deflect and Reform shout from the sidelines, offering anger but no answers, Labour is focused on delivery.

We’re backing our enforcement agencies with the tools they need to tackle illegal migration, building effective international partnerships, and working to close asylum hotels as swiftly as possible.

This is a government that’s restoring control, rebuilding trust, and delivering the change Britain needs.