Vital bills making progress
Gosport MP CAROLINE DINENAGE on two important bills currently going through parliament
WITH a busy couple of weeks ahead of us before Christmas, we entered the ‘ping pong’ stage of the Armed Forces Bill, where a bill goes between the House of Commons and the House of Lords to consider suggested amendments.
It’s the chance to really fine-tune a piece of legislation. This bill has significance for our region, with our deep-rooted links to the military and proud naval history. It introduces a legal duty to ensure that the UK armed forces community is treated fairly. Focusing on healthcare, housing and education, it aims to increase awareness of the unique nature of military service. The bill also builds on initiatives designed to support service leavers and veterans – like the establishment of the Defence Transition Services organisation in 2019.
This week we also entered the report stage of the widely anticipated Nationality and Borders Bill. It is an opportunity to consider the current state of the bill and the amendments suggested by both MPs and the government.
This bill is the cornerstone of the government’s new plan for immigration, which will deliver the most comprehensive reform in decades to fix the broken asylum system. The bill has three key objectives: to make the system fairer and more effective, to support those in genuine need of asylum; to deter illegal entry into the UK, in an attempt to break the business model of criminal trafficking networks; and to remove those with no right to be here.
Immigration is an issue which continues to fill my mailbag – and one which polarises opinion. Regardless of their position, News readers cannot fail to have been horrified by the recent deaths of at least 27 migrants when their boat capsized in the English Channel. And increasing numbers are risking their lives to make the perilous 21-mile journey from France to England. We need to do all we can to stop the brutal and pernicious peoplesmuggling gangs who sell dreams and destroy lives.
The Home Office believes this bill will help prevent further tragic events.
I pray it is right.