Reform UK’s Ben Habib has called for a complete moratorium on new British citizenship grants amidst growing concerns over migration levels.
Speaking on GB News, the former co-deputy Reform chief declared that migration in Britain has become “completely out of control”.
“We should have zero illegal migration. That’s the starting point”, Habib stated, advocating for an immediate suspension of all new citizenship grants for both legal and illegal migrants.
He expressed surprise that right-wing parties hadn’t proposed similar measures, suggesting that both Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch should support such a policy.
Ben Habib said Farage should be calling for a moratorium on British citizenships
PA / GB NEWS
“We need to make sure that this problem doesn’t become fixed in place”, he warned.
A total of 82 migrants crossed the English Channel today, just days after Labour’s controversial move to ease restrictions on illegal migrants gaining British citizenship.
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The crossings come mere days after the Labour government announced plans to repeal key parts of the Tory-era Illegal Migration Act 2023, which had previously blocked most illegal arrivals from obtaining settled status.
Today’s arrivals follow yesterday’s crossing of 47 migrants in a single small boat, marking a continued flow of Channel crossings despite the ongoing political debate over immigration policy.
The timing of these latest arrivals has intensified scrutiny of Labour’s new Border Security Bill, which has already drawn fierce criticism from opposition figures.
Labour’s new Border Security Bill marks a significant shift from previous Conservative policies on illegal migration.
Ben Habib spoke to Nana Akua and Aaron Bastani on GB News
GB NEWS
The Bill repeals crucial elements of the 2023 Illegal Migration Act, including rules that prevented illegal arrivals from gaining British citizenship.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has strongly criticised the changes, warning they will “lead to dangerous young men being placed with teenage girls”.
“[It] makes the UK the soft touch of Europe”, Philp told The Telegraph. “Starmer is a weak Prime Minister”.
The Bill also removes restrictions on age assessment procedures for asylum seekers who refuse to take scientific tests.
Labour has pledged to retain some powers from the 2023 Act and says it may introduce stronger sanctions if necessary.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has branded Labour’s Bill “an insult to the British people”.
“It shamefully opens up our borders and disgracefully allows illegal immigrants to become citizens”, Braverman said, arguing that illegal entrants “should be detained, deported, and banned from ever returning”.
Rupert Lowe echoed these concerns, describing Britain’s asylum system as “soft as a boiled maggot”.
“It is abundantly clear that thousands of males are fooling the incompetent Home Office through lies over their age, sexuality, religion and more”, Lowe stated.
The Home Office maintains it has “robust processes” in place for age verification, including the National Age Assessment Board.
