Jenrick says even ‘legal migration’ is harmful to UK
Related: Yvette Cooper calls out Reform and Tories for ‘shouting at sea’ over asylum system debate
Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has called for asylum seekers to be detained in "rudimentary prisons" rather than current housing arrangements.
He criticised Reform UK's immigration plan, saying their proposals for housing asylum seekers do not go far enough and should be more restrictive.
Mr Jenrick also told The Spectator that “legal migration“ is "even more harmful" to the UK than asylum seekers due to high numbers, advocating for a period of net emigration for low-skilled individuals.
His views were partly influenced by attending a protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, which became a focal point for anti-migrant sentiment.
This follows previous actions as immigration minister where he ordered the removal of cartoon murals from a child asylum seeker reception centre, deeming them too welcoming.