Rwanda partnership will disrupt gangs, Braverman says
Braverman doubles down on her commitment to processing migrants offshore in Rwanda.
“The Rwanda partnership will further disrupt the business model of the smuggling gangs and deter migrants from putting their lives," she says.
"I am committed to making the partnership work. Labour want to cancel it."
She continues: "While I will continue to support the vulnerable through safe and legal routes, people coming here illegally from safe countries are not welcome and should not expect to stay.
"Where it is necessary to change the law, we will not hesitate to do so."
I saw Manston problem coming, says Braverman
Braverman says she "pushed officials to identify accommodation options that were more cost effective and swifter".
She says she has been "seeking alternative sites" although there are "many hurdles".
Braverman says she "foresaw this problem at Manston in September and deployed additional resource and personnel" to solve the issue.
Braverman says Home Office is trialling new systems
House of Commons / PA MediaCopyright: House of Commons / PA Media
Braverman says she shares the sentiment that has been expressed by members from across the House who want to see cases in the UK dealt with swiftly.
"Our asylum transformation programme will help bring down the backlog," she says.
The home secretary adds that "it is already having an impact", citing a pilot in Leeds that has reduced interview times by over a third and has seen productivity almost doubled.
"We are also determined to address the wholly unacceptable situation which has left taxpayers with a bill of £6.8m a day for hotel accommodation," she adds.
Government working tirelessly to accommodate migrants, home secretary says
"When we face so many arrivals so quickly, it is practically impossible to procure over 1,000 beds at short notice," Braverman says.
She adds that the government has been "working tirelessly" to find facilities although there are a number of "competing demands on the housing stock" and the Home Office is "continuing to look at all available options".
Braverman to visit migrants site in Dover
Braverman confirms that the centre in Dover that came under attack yesterday - known as Western Jet Foil - is now "fully operational again" to assist with the number of migrants.
She said the minister for immigration visited the Manston site and that she will visit shortly.
We're removing offenders within days - Braverman
Braverman says that "this year has seen a surge in the number of Albanian arrivals - many of them, I'm afraid to say, abusing modern slavery laws".
"We are working to ensure Albanian cases are processed" and offenders removed "sometimes within days", she adds.
Crime groups must be dismantled, says Home Secretary
The home secretary continues by saying it's "vital" that international crime gangs are dismantled.
Cooperation with France has stopped more than 29,000 illegal crossings since the start of the year -"twice as many as last year" - and destroyed over 1,000 boats", Braverman states.
UK-France Joint Intelligence has dismantled 55 organised crime groups since it was established in 2020, she adds.
We have a duty to the wider public over migrants, says Braverman
House of CommonsCopyright: House of Commons
Braverman goes on to tell MPs that "we need to meet our statutory duties around detention and also fulfil legal duties to provide accommodation for those who would otherwise be destitute".
"We also have a duty to the wider public to ensure that anyone who has entered our country illegally undergoes essential security checks, and is not immediately free to wander around local communities with no fixed abode," she adds.
Safety and wellbeing remains the priority - Braverman
Braverman continues: "My priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our teams and contractors, as well as the people in our care.
"Several hundred migrants were relocated to Manston yesterday to ensure their safety."
Braverman pays tribute to those who responded
"This is a shocking incident and my thoughts are with those affected," Braverman says.
"While I understand the desire for answers, investigators must have the necessary space for work. I know the whole House will join me in paying tribute to everyone involved in the response."
Braverman begins with update on attack at Dover site yesterday
House of CommonsCopyright: House of Commons
Before she begins speaking, the deputy speaker of the house tells MPs this is a serious statement and Braverman will be heard.
Braverman says: "At around 11:20 on Sunday, police were called. Offices established that two to three incendiary devices had been thrown at the Home Office premises.
"The suspect was identified quickly located at a nearby petrol station and confirmed dead.
"The explosive ordnance disposal unit attended to ensure there were no further threats. Police are not currently treating it as a terrorist incident."
Braverman about to speak
The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, is about to make a statement to MPs.
'Why are so many people crammed into a place designed for half as many?'
The former
Independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration says there has been a failure by the Home Office in relation to the large number of people crossing the English Channel.
John Vine says it needs to anticipate the increasing volume of crossings and have proper provision to hold people while they assess their claims.
Asked whether he thinks there has been a failure of planning, he says: “Well yes, I think there has to be because why are there so many people crammed into a place which is designed for half as many?
"And clearly provision has to be made and resources have to be found in order to keep people in humane conditions."
Vine added: "There’s no question about that but one of the problems is that over the years, there have been spikes in asylum claims, we’ve got that now."
What is Suella Braverman doing about overcrowding?
The Times reported on Saturday that Home Secretary Suella Braverman was told at least three weeks ago that migrants, including families, were being held there for four weeks, putting the government in breach of the law.
BBC News has also been told that she was warned that the government was breaching statutory duties by failing to sign off on ways to immediately move people to hotels or alternative accommodation.
We have spoken to sources familiar with the situation, one of whom said there was "crystal clear" advice that the government was not acting within the law.
The local Tory MP for the area Sir Roget Gale has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had been informed the Home Office was "finding it very difficult to secure hotel accommodation".
"I now understand that this was a policy issue and that a decision was taken not to book additional hotel space," he said.
Responding to this claim, a Home Office spokesperson said Braverman "has taken urgent decisions to alleviate issues at Manston and source alternative accommodation" and said any claims advice was deliberately ignored were "completely baseless".
How many people are being held at Manston?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Although it was designed to take between 1,000 and 1,600 people a day, there are currently around 4,000 people at Manston, according to local Tory MP Sir Roger Gale.
The Home Office has refused to comment on the current numbers at the camp.
Some migrants are also being held for longer periods of time because of an apparent lack of alternative accommodation.
Independent chief inspector of borders and immigration David Neal visited the camp on 24 October and said there were 2,800 migrants there on that day.
Following his visit, he told MPs he had spoken to an Afghan family who had "been in a marquee for 32 days".
He reported that migrants were being guarded by untrained custody officers and said: "What is really concerning and alarming is that the numbers as described are clearly outstripping the capacity of the site."
A Home Office spokesperson has told the BBC that Manston "remains resourced and equipped to process migrants securely and we will provide alternative accommodation as soon as possible".
The basics: What is Manston?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Manston is a former military base in Kent, and opened as a processing centre in February 2022 to help process the growing number of migrants reaching the UK in small boats.
In December 2021, the Home Office said it would hold "illegal migrants" for up to five days as security and identity checks are completed.
It said it was part of a new immigration plan that would "see a move away from unsustainable hotel accommodation towards dedicated reception centres".
Last week, the Home Office said: "The aim was to run a site that had between 1,000 and 1,600 people passing through it every day, and that all of those checks would be completed in under 24 hours. For a large part of this year, that is exactly how it was operating."
Police search property after attack on Dover facility
As we've just said, police don't yet know why a man threw incendiary devices at a migrant site in Dover yesterday.
But they've just told us they have a warrant to search a property in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire - 120 miles away from the facility.
The man, who took his own life after the attack, was 66 and from High Wycombe, but has not been named.
Government orders security review after attack on Dover centre
Simon Jones
Reporter, BBC South East Today
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
A review of security at the reception centre in Dover where migrants are brought to shore is to be carried out by the government.
Yesterday, a man threw incendiary devices onto the site - injuring two people, before taking his own life.
Police say they're keeping an open mind about his motive.
But the Dover MP Natalie Elphicke is calling for the centre to be shut completely.
Very vicious smugglers at fault, says minister
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The government minister Mark Spencer says the blame for the problem lies in the hands of the smuggling gangs that bring migrants into the country illegally.
He told the BBC: "These are basically very, very vicious people who are putting vulnerable people on small boats, unseaworthy boats, putting them on the [English] Channel and sending them across at the same time as taking their life savings for that privilege.
"So we have to break that model of those very vicious people who are exploiting the most vulnerable people in the world."
The Home Office said they are using "every tool at our disposal" to deter illegal migration, disrupt people smugglers' business model and relocate those with no right to be in the UK to Rwanda.
Why is there an asylum claim backlog?
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Small boats used to cross the Channel are documented before being taken awayImage caption: Small boats used to cross the Channel are documented before being taken away
At the end of June 2022 there were almost 100,000 asylum claims waiting for an initial decision from the Home Office.
One reason for the increased backlog - which is two-and-a-half times higher than at the end of 2019 - is the rise in number of asylum applications.
In 2021, there were 48,450 applications, compared to 63,089 so far in 2022.
A Home Affairs Committee report published over the summer said that "antiquated IT systems, high staff turnover, and too few staff are among the reasons for this slow pace".
The asylum backlog has left thousands of asylum seekers waiting in short-term accommodation - such as hotels - which is costing the government around £5.6m per day.
The pressure in the asylum system worsened during the pandemic as people were prevented from being moved on to long-term accommodation because of the lockdown.
The Home Affairs Committee reported that in September 2021,13,000 asylum seekers were living in hotels.
Live Reporting
Edited by Emma Owen
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Rwanda partnership will disrupt gangs, Braverman says
Braverman doubles down on her commitment to processing migrants offshore in Rwanda.
“The Rwanda partnership will further disrupt the business model of the smuggling gangs and deter migrants from putting their lives," she says.
"I am committed to making the partnership work. Labour want to cancel it."
She continues: "While I will continue to support the vulnerable through safe and legal routes, people coming here illegally from safe countries are not welcome and should not expect to stay.
"Where it is necessary to change the law, we will not hesitate to do so."
I saw Manston problem coming, says Braverman
Braverman says she "pushed officials to identify accommodation options that were more cost effective and swifter".
She says she has been "seeking alternative sites" although there are "many hurdles".
Braverman says she "foresaw this problem at Manston in September and deployed additional resource and personnel" to solve the issue.
Braverman says Home Office is trialling new systems
Braverman says she shares the sentiment that has been expressed by members from across the House who want to see cases in the UK dealt with swiftly.
"Our asylum transformation programme will help bring down the backlog," she says.
The home secretary adds that "it is already having an impact", citing a pilot in Leeds that has reduced interview times by over a third and has seen productivity almost doubled.
"We are also determined to address the wholly unacceptable situation which has left taxpayers with a bill of £6.8m a day for hotel accommodation," she adds.
Government working tirelessly to accommodate migrants, home secretary says
"When we face so many arrivals so quickly, it is practically impossible to procure over 1,000 beds at short notice," Braverman says.
She adds that the government has been "working tirelessly" to find facilities although there are a number of "competing demands on the housing stock" and the Home Office is "continuing to look at all available options".
Braverman to visit migrants site in Dover
Braverman confirms that the centre in Dover that came under attack yesterday - known as Western Jet Foil - is now "fully operational again" to assist with the number of migrants.
She said the minister for immigration visited the Manston site and that she will visit shortly.
We're removing offenders within days - Braverman
Braverman says that "this year has seen a surge in the number of Albanian arrivals - many of them, I'm afraid to say, abusing modern slavery laws".
"We are working to ensure Albanian cases are processed" and offenders removed "sometimes within days", she adds.
Crime groups must be dismantled, says Home Secretary
The home secretary continues by saying it's "vital" that international crime gangs are dismantled.
Cooperation with France has stopped more than 29,000 illegal crossings since the start of the year -"twice as many as last year" - and destroyed over 1,000 boats", Braverman states.
UK-France Joint Intelligence has dismantled 55 organised crime groups since it was established in 2020, she adds.
We have a duty to the wider public over migrants, says Braverman
Braverman goes on to tell MPs that "we need to meet our statutory duties around detention and also fulfil legal duties to provide accommodation for those who would otherwise be destitute".
"We also have a duty to the wider public to ensure that anyone who has entered our country illegally undergoes essential security checks, and is not immediately free to wander around local communities with no fixed abode," she adds.
Safety and wellbeing remains the priority - Braverman
Braverman continues: "My priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our teams and contractors, as well as the people in our care.
"Several hundred migrants were relocated to Manston yesterday to ensure their safety."
Braverman pays tribute to those who responded
"This is a shocking incident and my thoughts are with those affected," Braverman says.
"While I understand the desire for answers, investigators must have the necessary space for work. I know the whole House will join me in paying tribute to everyone involved in the response."
Braverman begins with update on attack at Dover site yesterday
Before she begins speaking, the deputy speaker of the house tells MPs this is a serious statement and Braverman will be heard.
Braverman says: "At around 11:20 on Sunday, police were called. Offices established that two to three incendiary devices had been thrown at the Home Office premises.
"The suspect was identified quickly located at a nearby petrol station and confirmed dead.
"The explosive ordnance disposal unit attended to ensure there were no further threats. Police are not currently treating it as a terrorist incident."
Braverman about to speak
The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, is about to make a statement to MPs.
'Why are so many people crammed into a place designed for half as many?'
The former Independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration says there has been a failure by the Home Office in relation to the large number of people crossing the English Channel.
John Vine says it needs to anticipate the increasing volume of crossings and have proper provision to hold people while they assess their claims.
Asked whether he thinks there has been a failure of planning, he says: “Well yes, I think there has to be because why are there so many people crammed into a place which is designed for half as many?
"And clearly provision has to be made and resources have to be found in order to keep people in humane conditions."
Vine added: "There’s no question about that but one of the problems is that over the years, there have been spikes in asylum claims, we’ve got that now."
What is Suella Braverman doing about overcrowding?
The Times reported on Saturday that Home Secretary Suella Braverman was told at least three weeks ago that migrants, including families, were being held there for four weeks, putting the government in breach of the law.
BBC News has also been told that she was warned that the government was breaching statutory duties by failing to sign off on ways to immediately move people to hotels or alternative accommodation.
We have spoken to sources familiar with the situation, one of whom said there was "crystal clear" advice that the government was not acting within the law.
The local Tory MP for the area Sir Roget Gale has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he had been informed the Home Office was "finding it very difficult to secure hotel accommodation".
"I now understand that this was a policy issue and that a decision was taken not to book additional hotel space," he said.
Responding to this claim, a Home Office spokesperson said Braverman "has taken urgent decisions to alleviate issues at Manston and source alternative accommodation" and said any claims advice was deliberately ignored were "completely baseless".
How many people are being held at Manston?
Although it was designed to take between 1,000 and 1,600 people a day, there are currently around 4,000 people at Manston, according to local Tory MP Sir Roger Gale.
The Home Office has refused to comment on the current numbers at the camp.
Some migrants are also being held for longer periods of time because of an apparent lack of alternative accommodation.
Independent chief inspector of borders and immigration David Neal visited the camp on 24 October and said there were 2,800 migrants there on that day.
Following his visit, he told MPs he had spoken to an Afghan family who had "been in a marquee for 32 days".
He reported that migrants were being guarded by untrained custody officers and said: "What is really concerning and alarming is that the numbers as described are clearly outstripping the capacity of the site."
A Home Office spokesperson has told the BBC that Manston "remains resourced and equipped to process migrants securely and we will provide alternative accommodation as soon as possible".
The basics: What is Manston?
Manston is a former military base in Kent, and opened as a processing centre in February 2022 to help process the growing number of migrants reaching the UK in small boats.
In December 2021, the Home Office said it would hold "illegal migrants" for up to five days as security and identity checks are completed.
It said it was part of a new immigration plan that would "see a move away from unsustainable hotel accommodation towards dedicated reception centres".
Last week, the Home Office said: "The aim was to run a site that had between 1,000 and 1,600 people passing through it every day, and that all of those checks would be completed in under 24 hours. For a large part of this year, that is exactly how it was operating."
Police search property after attack on Dover facility
As we've just said, police don't yet know why a man threw incendiary devices at a migrant site in Dover yesterday.
But they've just told us they have a warrant to search a property in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire - 120 miles away from the facility.
The man, who took his own life after the attack, was 66 and from High Wycombe, but has not been named.
Government orders security review after attack on Dover centre
Simon Jones
Reporter, BBC South East Today
A review of security at the reception centre in Dover where migrants are brought to shore is to be carried out by the government.
Yesterday, a man threw incendiary devices onto the site - injuring two people, before taking his own life.
Police say they're keeping an open mind about his motive.
But the Dover MP Natalie Elphicke is calling for the centre to be shut completely.
Very vicious smugglers at fault, says minister
The government minister Mark Spencer says the blame for the problem lies in the hands of the smuggling gangs that bring migrants into the country illegally.
He told the BBC: "These are basically very, very vicious people who are putting vulnerable people on small boats, unseaworthy boats, putting them on the [English] Channel and sending them across at the same time as taking their life savings for that privilege.
"So we have to break that model of those very vicious people who are exploiting the most vulnerable people in the world."
The Home Office said they are using "every tool at our disposal" to deter illegal migration, disrupt people smugglers' business model and relocate those with no right to be in the UK to Rwanda.
Why is there an asylum claim backlog?
At the end of June 2022 there were almost 100,000 asylum claims waiting for an initial decision from the Home Office.
One reason for the increased backlog - which is two-and-a-half times higher than at the end of 2019 - is the rise in number of asylum applications.
In 2021, there were 48,450 applications, compared to 63,089 so far in 2022.
A Home Affairs Committee report published over the summer said that "antiquated IT systems, high staff turnover, and too few staff are among the reasons for this slow pace".
The asylum backlog has left thousands of asylum seekers waiting in short-term accommodation - such as hotels - which is costing the government around £5.6m per day.
The pressure in the asylum system worsened during the pandemic as people were prevented from being moved on to long-term accommodation because of the lockdown.
The Home Affairs Committee reported that in September 2021,13,000 asylum seekers were living in hotels.