Queen's speech 2009: draft immigration bill
Sets out sweeping reforms to immigration and asylum bill and simplifies legislation on migration
Queen's speech focuses on pensioners, parents and economic recovery
Alan Travis, home affairs editor
guardian.co.uk,
Wednesday 18 November 2009 11.48 GMT
This 243-page bill was published last week and sets out sweeping reforms to the immigration and asylum system that Labour would enact if they win next year's general election, as well as consolidating and “simplifying” the 12 major pieces of legislation since the 1971 Immigration Act.
The main reforms include a new concept of temporary, time-limited “permission” to come to Britain, which will replace the five separate categories of those who come to work, study, or visit. Permanent residents will be given permission without any time limits or conditions attached.
It also introduces a new streamlined power of expulsion to replace the current powers of deportation and removal. A new regime for those on immigration bail is to be introduced with restrictions on residence, work, study and access to public funds backed up by reporting and monitoring requirements.
A consultation paper published last week on the future of welfare support for asylum seekers is also expected to lead to measures to encourage those who have no right to be in the country to leave Britain.
