Labour has described the government’s approach to refugees as “deeply shameful” after ministers confirmed they are to stick with a planned law change that could potentially see Ukrainians who arrive in the UK without the correct visa jailed for four years.
A number of Tory MPs could rebel on parts of the controversial nationality and borders bill, which returns to the Commons on Tuesday to consider a string of changes made by the House of Lords.
While the Home Office has agreed to give way on a couple of amendments, it plans to push ahead again with plans for anyone who arrives in the UK by an unofficial route to have their asylum claim immediately ruled as inadmissible, with the possibility of up to four years in jail, which peers had overturned.
According to a Home Office briefing note for MPs, ministers will still pursue the idea of Australian-style offshore processing centres for refugees, and block other Lords amendments aimed at making it easier for families to be reunited, and for unaccompanied refugee children to come to the UK.
The bill was last considered by MPs in December, and since then Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created an estimated 10 million new refugees in Europe, with more than 100,000 Britons signing up to a scheme to house people from the country.
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, called for Tory MPs to push Priti Patel, the home secretary, into changing course.
“It is unbelievable and deeply shameful that at a time like this Priti Patel is...
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