A proposed amendment aimed at providing safeguards for victims of modern slavery in the UK was defeated by a vote of 205 to 193.
In addition to this, another vote was abandoned by the Government due to their victories. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, who strongly criticized the Bill, also withdrew his request for a statement addressing the issues of refugee problem and human trafficking to the UK when a similar proposal was rejected by MPs.
Although he agreed on the need to halt small boat crossings, the Archbishop expressed his doubts on how this Bill will achieve that objective. He stated, “But that is the view of the other place. I agree that in the end on most things except the most essential that this House must give way to the other place.”
He further commented that the root of the problem lies in the fact that the Bill did not begin in the right place. He explained, “Where it needed to start with is… to have a level of national consensus and agreement on what the aim of our migration policy and immigration policy is in the long term.”
This parliamentary debate coincided with the relocation of an accommodation barge intended to house 500 migrants. The Bibby Stockholm barge, located in Portland Port, Dorset, faced a one-month delay in its plans but finally departed from Falmouth, Cornwall, on Monday after undergoing necessary preparations for its new role.
Downing Street defended the use of barges as a cost-effective alternative to housing migrants in hotels.
Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a dark day for the UK’s reputation as a protector of human rights and a grave moment for those seeking safety in an uncertain world. However, the fight for a fair and humane asylum system persists.”
He added, “We take pride in the collaboration with MPs and peers, which has resulted in some changes that will slightly improve this horrendous legislation. Nevertheless, the overall bill remains impractical and will lead to human suffering and significant costs for taxpayers.”
Through detailed analysis, the Refugee Council estimates that within the first three years of the bill, nearly 200,000 men, women, and children will be left in a state of uncertainty, detention, or destitution on UK soil.
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