Labour MP Stephen Morgan: ‘There Is No Silver Bullet’ on Illegal Immigration, But Deterrence Is Key

Labour MP Stephen Morgan described the asylum system inherited by the government as “in chaos” but insisted serious plans are now in place focused on deterrence, removals, and preventing illegal crossings.
Speaking on GB News, Morgan said, “We inherited an asylum system in chaos, and it is absolutely vital that we get this right. We have obviously got serious plans in place as a government. I sense people’s frustrations across the country, and I am frustrated myself. The focus for us is on deterrence, removals, and preventing crossings, and we have made some good progress there. We are committed to ending asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament; they were up at 400, and they are now down to 200. We have removed 35,000 people who have no right to remain in the country. Processing is also much faster, up 28 per cent.”
Morgan detailed some of the deterrent measures being piloted, including a “one in, one out” scheme with France. He said, “We are really keen to learn from that pilot, but it is early days. We are also working with other nations around the source or origin of those coming to the country, so there is a range of actions. There is no silver bullet here, but I know the Home Office is leading the way in getting this right, listening to people’s concerns and taking action.”
When asked about the Refugee Council’s permission to stay scheme, Morgan said he had not seen the details but expected the Home Secretary to consider all ideas, while reaffirming the government’s clear focus on deterrence, removals, and preventing crossings as its priorities.
Morgan also emphasised the government’s investment in early education and childcare, saying, “We want to break down the barriers to opportunity to make sure that every child in every part of our country gets the best start in life. We are investing nine billion pounds in good quality early education across the country today and announcing the continuation of our holiday activity and food programme, with six hundred million pounds to make sure children get access to enriching activities in the school holidays. From next Monday, there will be thirty hours of funded childcare for parents across the country.”
Addressing concerns from early years providers about funding pressures, Morgan acknowledged the challenges but insisted the government is working closely with the sector. “We have reset that relationship, put seventy-five million pounds into expansion grants, and reviewed the funding rates regularly. Earlier this year, we published a strategy setting out longer-term ambitions. We want to make sure parents have access to good-quality provision wherever they live. I thank providers for the work that they do. I am alive to the challenges in the system we inherited. We inherited a pledge without a plan, and we are getting on with delivering this for the British public.”
On the contentious topic of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Morgan said Labour wants “a fair system” that “restores order” and cautioned against drastic measures. “It is absolutely vital that we stay focused on the task which is bringing down the number of people coming into the country when they should not be here. We have increased deportations recently to 35,000. Action is being taken.”
Morgan declined to comment on speculative proposals to charge national insurance on landlords’ rental income, saying it was a matter for the Chancellor and that further details would emerge in the autumn budget. He reiterated the government’s focus on economic growth, fixing the country’s foundations, and investing in public services, including childcare.