Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has come under renewed pressure over Britain’s migration crisis after opposition figures accused the Government of failing to deliver tougher action on illegal Channel crossings.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp launched a fierce attack on the Government after reports that dozens of asylum seekers had been earmarked to move into newly built homes in Shropshire, claiming ministers were offering accommodation that many local families could only dream of owning.
The development in Stoke Heath, involving 21 new-build properties reportedly worth around £250,000 each, sparked a political row over the use of housing for asylum seekers while many Britons remain locked out of the housing market.
Mr Philp accused the Government of “putting illegal immigrants up in brand new homes” and called for the scheme to be cancelled immediately.
He said local residents struggling with the cost of housing would find the situation “disgraceful”, arguing that people who enter the UK illegally should face removal rather than being provided accommodation.
The Conservative frontbencher also criticised Labour’s wider approach to migration, claiming recent announcements represented only minor changes rather than a fundamental shift in policy.
He said Government measures amounted to “tinkering around the edges” and argued that the number of small boat arrivals remained far too high.
His comments came after figures showed Channel crossings had fallen compared with previous periods, with ministers pointing to progress in reducing arrivals.
But Mr Philp dismissed the improvement as temporary, arguing that warmer weather had contributed to renewed crossings and claiming thousands had arrived in recent weeks.
He insisted the Government had not solved the crisis and called for a far tougher approach, including faster removals for those who enter the UK illegally.
The row comes as ministers face continued pressure over the cost of accommodating asylum seekers, the backlog of claims and the challenge of preventing dangerous Channel crossings.
The Home Office has defended its approach, stressing that changes introduced earlier this year mean newly built housing developments are no longer considered for asylum accommodation.
A Home Office spokesman said: “New houses should never house asylum seekers.”
They added that stronger processes had been introduced to prevent similar situations happening again.
The dispute highlights the wider political battle over immigration policy, with Labour attempting to balance tougher border controls with legal obligations, while opposition parties argue the Government needs a more aggressive approach.
As pressure grows, the migration issue remains one of Westminster’s most explosive political fault lines — with housing, borders and public confidence all at the centre of the debate.
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