Lord Dholakia, former Brighton Councillor, challenges Government on asylum and immigration plans

12.29.34am GMT Wed 9th Feb 2005

Lord Dholakia with Charles Kennedy

Lord Dholakia, Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Home Affairs in the House of Lords yesterday set out the party's position on the Governments Immigration and Asylum plans.

Lord Dholakia highlighted the benefits Immigrant workers have brought to the UK pointing out that the production of legal migrants contributes £2.5bn a year to the UK economy. This is the equivalent of 1p on income tax.

Lord Dholakia labelled Labour's plans a "knee-jerk, regressive package of measures" and challenged the Government to stand up for its principles and dispel tabloid myths around immigration and asylum.

Lord Dholakia pointed out the failures of successive governments to come up with a coherent immigration and asylum policy. He said:

"Every country has a right to determine its immigration policy and the United Kingdom is no exception. Events of the past years have demonstrated total inconsistencies in the way immigration matters are handled. It is no good successive governments denying responsibility."

Lord Dholakia also raised doubts on the Governments targets for removing failed asylum seekers, he said:

"I welcome the commitment to remove more failed asylum seekers. But given that the previous target of removing 30,000 a year was dropped because it was unachievable, what is the new removals target going to be? Surely the Government must have some idea of the impact of its policy."

Finally Lord Dholakia dismissed the governments plans for increasing fines for employers hiring illegal immigrants, pointing out that there have been only two prosecutions in the last year.

"The proposed increase in fines for employers found to be employing illegal immigrants (£1,000 per head to £2,000) is laughable when there were only two prosecutions in the last year. Isn't it the truth that this government has tolerated illegal working and the payment of wages below the statutory minimum because that provides our industries with a competitive advantage?"