Nigel Farage has dismissed Labour's new policy to deny citizenship to small boat migrants as mere "posturing", claiming on GB News that Labour's approach is to "grant asylum to virtually everybody".
The Reform UK leader's criticism sparked a heated exchange with former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who insisted "we've sent more people back than the Tories".
Nigel countered that the difference was "marginal", noting that only 26 per cent of those sent back were involuntary deportations.
The Home Office has toughened existing guidance to make it nearly impossible for refugees who travel to the UK by small boat to obtain British citizenship.
Under previous rules, refugees arriving through irregular routes had to wait ten years before being considered for citizenship.
The updated guidance, issued on Monday, now states that applicants who have "made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship".
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The change comes as Labour's government faces rising small boat crossings, which have increased by 28 per cent in their first seven months in office.
The new guidance specifies that "any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed".
The Home Office defines a "dangerous journey" as including, but not limited to, "travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance".
The policy applies to those arriving without valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, but does not affect those who reached the UK on commercial flights.
Refugee charities have strongly condemned the policy change. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: "The British public want refugees who have been given safety in our country to integrate into and contribute to their new communities."
Kolbassia Haoussou, director at Freedom from Torture, called it "a dark moment in British history", warning that "blocking their ability to become citizens prevents refugees from fully integrating and flourishing in their new communities".
Labour MP Stella Creasy urged the government to reconsider, stating it "can't be right" to refuse citizenship to those granted refugee status.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the strengthened measures, stating: "There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining citizenship."
"This guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused," the spokesperson added.
The policy change aligns with Labour's broader strategy to reduce small boat crossings, which includes increased raids on businesses suspected of hiring illegal workers.
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The Reform UK leader's criticism sparked a heated exchange with former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who insisted "we've sent more people back than the Tories".
Nigel countered that the difference was "marginal", noting that only 26 per cent of those sent back were involuntary deportations.
The Home Office has toughened existing guidance to make it nearly impossible for refugees who travel to the UK by small boat to obtain British citizenship.
Under previous rules, refugees arriving through irregular routes had to wait ten years before being considered for citizenship.
The updated guidance, issued on Monday, now states that applicants who have "made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship".
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The change comes as Labour's government faces rising small boat crossings, which have increased by 28 per cent in their first seven months in office.
The new guidance specifies that "any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed".
The Home Office defines a "dangerous journey" as including, but not limited to, "travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance".
The policy applies to those arriving without valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, but does not affect those who reached the UK on commercial flights.
Refugee charities have strongly condemned the policy change. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: "The British public want refugees who have been given safety in our country to integrate into and contribute to their new communities."
Kolbassia Haoussou, director at Freedom from Torture, called it "a dark moment in British history", warning that "blocking their ability to become citizens prevents refugees from fully integrating and flourishing in their new communities".
Labour MP Stella Creasy urged the government to reconsider, stating it "can't be right" to refuse citizenship to those granted refugee status.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the strengthened measures, stating: "There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining citizenship."
"This guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused," the spokesperson added.
The policy change aligns with Labour's broader strategy to reduce small boat crossings, which includes increased raids on businesses suspected of hiring illegal workers.
Find Out More...