Question
We heard the Home Secretary make the claim that her changes to indefinite leave to remain would somehow act as a disincentive to people who sought to arrive in the UK on small boats, but she has failed to convince her Back Benchers and some of her Cabinet colleagues. Who has the upper hand on this in Cabinet, and would changes to ILR make a scintilla of a difference to people coming on small boats?50% point-scoring
Answer
It is absolutely right for a Government seeking a system based on order, control and the principles of fairness and contribution to look at both the legal and illegal migration systems. We inherited an almighty mess from the Conservatives, and we are resolving all the issues. As the hon. Member well knows, the policy on indefinite leave to remain will be settled in due course. We had a consultation, we have considered the responses, and the Government will have more to say on this in the not-too-distant future.14% point-scoring 29% vibes
Verdict: RED (5/100)
The reply does not answer either part of the question. On which side holds the upper hand in Cabinet, it offers political criticism of the previous government and says the matter will be settled in due course, without addressing Cabinet dynamics at all. On whether the ILR changes would affect small-boat arrivals, it never mentions small boats or gives any estimate, offering only a general statement about reviewing migration systems.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which side has the upper hand in Cabinet on the proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain? | Not Addressed | Generic | The item asks which side has the upper hand in Cabinet, which the reply never addresses; 'inherited an almighty mess' is point-scoring against the previous government, and the 'settled in due course' and 'not-too-distant future' statements only defer the policy outcome without touching internal Cabinet dynamics. |
| Would the proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain make any difference to the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats? | Not Addressed | Generic | The item asks whether the ILR changes would affect small-boat arrivals; the reply never mentions small boats or estimates any effect, and its only nearby reference is a general statement about reviewing both legal and illegal migration systems, which does not answer the question. |