REDDITCH MP Rachel Maclean is backing new laws to stop the small boat Channel crossings and end illegal entry as a route to asylum in the UK.

The Illegal Migration Bill announced yesterday (March 7) by the Home Secretary, seeks to remove the incentive for people to risk their lives through these dangerous journeys and "pull the rug" from under the criminal gangs who are profiting.

Under the plans, people who arrive in the UK illegally will instead be detained and swiftly removed to their home country if safe, or another safe third country, such as Rwanda.

Migrants may be detained for 28 days with no recourse for bail or judicial review, and then for as long as there is a reasonable prospect of removal.

Anyone illegally entering the UK will be prevented from accessing the UK’s modern slavery support or abusing these laws to block their removal.

Mrs Maclean was part of efforts to get the government to review its modern slavery laws and has been successful in securing this measure in the new Bill.

Mrs Maclean said: “The Prime Minister promised he would bring forward new laws to stop the boats, and he’s delivered.

“The message is clear: if you’ve come here illegally then you will be removed.

“The most compassionate thing we can do is to stop the boats, prevent people from drowning in the Channel and smash the people smuggling gangs.

“It is not bigoted to want to control our borders. We have the sovereign right to decide who can or cannot enter our country. Our friends around the world do just that including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. I’m pretty sure they are not viewed as bigoted countries.

“I look forward to voting for these ground-breaking laws and to deliver on the promise I made to my constituents that I would back tough measures to tackle illegal migration and to stop the boats.”