Andrew Snowden MP is one of the 10 signatures on a new Bill aimed at forcing greater transparency over immigration, nationality and country of birth across Britain’s public services.
The Ten Minute Rule Bill, introduced in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Katie Lam on 10 December, would require the routine collection and annual publication of data on immigration status, nationality and country of birth in key areas including welfare, prisons, public services and law enforcement.
Andrew Snowden MP is one of the 10 required named supporters of the legislation, which passed its first stage in the Commons. If the Bill passes the next stage, Fylde’s MP would be part of the small team who would prepare the legislation for further scrutiny and votes.
Commenting, Andrew said:
“For years, the British public have been asked to accept record levels of immigration while being kept in the dark about its true impact. That is simply not good enough.
“We are talking about pressures on housing, the NHS, schools, policing, prisons and the welfare system, all of which are paid for by the taxpayer. Yet in many areas, the basic data on who is here, where they come from and how our public services are being used is either incomplete or not collected at all.
“This Bill is about shining a light on the facts. If we are serious about controlling immigration, cracking down on abuse and restoring public confidence, we must start with honest, reliable data.”
During her speech to Parliament, Katie Lam MP highlighted that the UK still does not have a proper system of entry and exit checks, that much of the data used to shape immigration policy is based on estimates rather than firm records, and that information on migrant use of benefits, public services, and involvement with the criminal justice system is often missing or unreliable.
Andrew Snowden added:
“I have always been clear that immigration to the UK is too high. But we also need to be honest about the evidence. Without accurate data, governments cannot make informed decisions, and the public cannot hold them to account.
“Immigration is not an abstract issue. It directly affects the cost of living, the availability of housing, waiting times in our hospitals, the safety of our communities and the strain on our public finances. This Bill is a vital step towards an immigration system that is firm, fair and based on facts rather than guesswork.”
The Bill will now proceed to its Second Reading in the House of Commons on Friday 16 January.
