Labour is facing accusations of rank hypocrisy after unveiling its new border security bill, which retains contentious elements of the Conservative government’s Illegal Migration Act (IMA).
Despite previously condemning the policy, Labour’s plan includes detaining unaccompanied children whose age is disputed for up to 28 days, as well as barring migrants from claiming modern slavery protections.
The bill, presented by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, marks a dramatic shift in Labour’s stance. Amnesty International criticized the move, stating it signals “disdain for human beings remains at the heart of this government.”
Independent anti-slavery commissioner Eleanor Lyons also voiced concerns, stressing that victims of modern slavery “deserve our compassion and support and no new legislation should reduce victims’ rights.”
Labour frontbenchers, including Jess Phillips and Stephen Kinnock, had previously slammed the Tory-led IMA, calling it “a traffickers’ dream” and “a gift to traffickers and pimps.” Now, with Labour in government, those same MPs have remained silent on the policy shift.
Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell expressed dismay over the U-turn, stating, “It is beyond me why Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper have done a complete reversal of our position prior to the election vehemently opposing the Conservatives’ policy of detaining children.”
He recalled past instances of child detention at Harmondsworth Detention Centre, warning of its “harmful and lasting impact.”
The legislation has also drawn fire from Green Party leader Carla Denyer, who emphasized that the UK should be aiding, not penalizing, those seeking safety.
“The only way to stop people smugglers is to create safe routes for people to come here fleeing violence or war, but this government’s new Bill contains no measures to do so. I very much hope that all those who spoke with their consciences when these cruel measures were introduced by the last government will continue to do so now.”
Carla Denyer
Human Trafficking Protections at Risk
A major concern surrounding Labour’s bill is its restriction on victims of human trafficking accessing the UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM), which identifies and supports trafficking survivors. Critics warn this will leave thousands vulnerable, strengthen traffickers, and undermine law enforcement efforts to prosecute criminals.
Jakub Sobik from the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre cautioned that retaining these measures “risks increasing trafficking and modern slavery in the UK.”
“If implemented, they would deny potentially thousands of people protection from trafficking and would strengthen the hand of traffickers, as well as our ability to prosecute them.”
Jakub Sobik
Despite scrapping large parts of the IMA, Labour is upholding restrictions on asylum and human rights claims for those entering the UK via irregular routes, such as small boats across the English Channel.
This move is seen as an attempt to fend off criticism from Reform UK and the Conservatives, who have been vocal about border security.
The bill’s stated goal is to dismantle smuggling networks facilitating illegal migration across the Channel. It introduces measures allowing authorities to impose travel bans and social media blackouts on people-smuggling suspects, aiming to disrupt their operations.
However, legal experts have raised concerns that denying trafficking victims government assistance may violate UK and international law.
Amnesty International’s Steve Valdez-Symonds reminded Parliament that “it is less than two years since Yvette Cooper stood in Parliament to oppose the Illegal Migration Act 2023 in its entirety, including because under it victims of modern-day slavery would be left without any protections.” He called Labour’s reversal “rank hypocrisy.”
As the debate over the bill intensifies, Labour faces mounting pressure to justify its policy shift and address concerns that it risks criminalizing victims rather than targeting traffickers. While the party insists its approach is a necessary step in border enforcement, opposition voices continue to demand a more compassionate and legally sound strategy.
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