THE SNP has accused the UK Government of ‘immigration theatre’ over plans to crack down on illegal immigrants as the Immigration Bill cleared its first Commons hurdle last night.

The Immigration Bill was given a second reading 323 to 274, majority 49, after a Labour amendment was rejected by a margin of 40, despite warnings that ethnic minorities could face more discrimination as a result of Theresa May’s reforms.

 

Stuart McDonald, the SNP's immigration and asylum spokesman said: "The Government wants to be seen to be doing something so it goes through the motions of yet another Immigration Bill and to hell with the consequences."

Mr McDonald added the proposed legislation relies on the public to help enforce the measures, including landlords.

He warned: "We are setting off down a road of amateur immigration control as if we're to become a nation of immigration officers.

"Yet again, anyone dealing regularly with immigration work - including honourable members - should be well aware what a complex issue this is. Not one where it is appropriate for amateurs to be involved in enforcement.

"As with decisions of the Home Office, we search in vain in this Bill for proper rights of appeal and redress against amateur enforcement decisions.

"Indeed judicial scrutiny of evictions is torn apart."

The measures being introduced by Mrs May in the Immigration Bill include a controversial requirement for landlords to check the immigration status of tenants, and restrictions on access to bank accounts and driving licences.

Mrs May insisted that it is "only fair" to legitimate immigrants that abuses of the system are tackled.

Bedford Labour MP Richard Fuller warned that it could lead to discrimination against all minorities.

During the Bill's second reading, the Bedford MP intervened: "The problem is, it is very difficult for someone to see if someone is an illegal immigrant, what they see is someone who is different.

"Do you not accept that within this law there is the potential for discrimination to be increased if this is pursued too aggressively?"

Mrs May replied: "I think it is only fair to people who are coming here, who are making their contribution to society, who have actually played by the rules, that we do take efforts to ensure that those who are here with no right to be here who are abusing our systems are actually dealt with appropriately.

"That's why on things like access to bank accounts and driving licences and other matters I think it is important that we have taken action."

Mrs May stressed that immigration "enriches" Britain but that when it is too high it puts pressure on public services and can drive down wages.

She insisted extreme views on immigration must be rejected but shadow home secretary Andy Burnham claimed Mrs May was speaking in a "markedly different tone" to her Tory conference speech last week in which she said high immigration damages social cohesion.

Ms May said: "If we are to continue building an immigration system which is fair to British citizens and people who come here legitimately to play by the rules and contribute to our society, we must ensure it is balanced, sustainable and net migration can be managed.

Richard Arkless, SNP MP for Dumfries and Galloway, said he was worried about the "unintended consequences" of the Bill.

He said: "I say that the nut that this sledgehammer of a Bill is designed to smash will pale into insignificance with the can of worms that it will open."

But Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said: "The problem for the UK Government is that instead of developing policy which is evidenced-based, it is attempting to create policy which purely panders to the Ukip sympathisers in their own party."