NO MORE LAST MINUTE CLAIMS TO BLOCK DEPORTATION

People who break our laws should not be able to manipulate the immigration system to avoid removal from the UK.

That is why Labour is bringing forward amendments to the Immigration and Asylum Bill to close loopholes around Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects private and family life.

The right to family life matters. But it must be based on a genuine, meaningful family relationship, not a last-minute claim used to frustrate deportation.

Under these changes, courts will have to consider how long and how often a parent has actually been in contact with their child when deciding whether Article 8 applies. The law will focus on parents who play a real role in their child’s life, rather than those trying to exploit the system to stay in the UK.

The Bill already makes clear that family life will normally mean close, co-habiting family relationships. These further safeguards will help ensure the rules are fair, proportionate and cannot be abused by foreign criminals or others with no right to remain here.

Britain will always respect genuine family life. But we will not allow loopholes to be used to block the removal of people who should not be in this country.