Government Crushes Lords’ Amendments on Illegal Migration Bill
The UK government has slammed the brakes on the House of Lords’ latest challenge to the Illegal Migration Bill. In a Commons showdown, MPs overwhelmingly rejected all nine amendments from the Lords. Despite the victory, a group of high-profile Tory rebels – including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and ex-justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland – backed the peers’ proposals.
Immigration Minister Demands Lords Back Down
After the vote, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick blasted the Lords for refusing to drop their demands. He urged peers to withdraw their amendments, but insiders say the Lords will push at least four proposals further in a marathon midnight debate tonight.
Controversial Rwanda Deportations Stay Central
The government insists the bill, including controversial deportations to Rwanda, is the toughest and most effective way to tackle illegal Channel crossings. But the Lords have warned the legislation risks harming vulnerable groups such as 1, children, LGBT+ individuals, and victims of modern slavery.
Tory Rebels and Opposition MPs Put Heat on Government
Last week, the government bowed to pressure by reducing detention times for lone children and pregnant women. Still, most of the Lords’ amendments got shot down in a lengthy vote. The peers sent back nine tweaked amendments, including protecting LGBT+ individuals from deportation to unsafe countries and calls for safe, legal migration routes.
Jenrick called the Lords’ stance “disappointing,” warning their ideas would scupper the bill’s core aims. He urged Commons MPs to honour the public mandate, secure borders, and keep tough on illegal migration.
The rebellion wasn’t just from the opposition. Sir Iain Duncan Smith raised fears the bill could scare off modern slavery victims from helping police, a claim the government dismissed, citing concerns over abuse of trafficking claims.
In total, thirteen Tory rebels defied the whip backing Lords’ amendments, including Duncan Smith, Tim Loughton, and Sir Robert Buckland. Others rebelled over safe routes, child protections, and LGBT+ safeguards.
Opposition Slams Government’s ‘Cruel’ Stance
Opposition MPs accused ministers of “performative cruelty” against asylum seekers and slammed their refusal to engage with humane reforms. They demand a rethink on asylum policies and the treatment of vulnerable migrants.
The bill now heads back to the House of Lords for further clashes before the parliamentary session wraps up.
