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The government has been forced to announce fresh amendments to its Illegal Migration Bill after its draft legislation suffered a series of defeats in the House of Lords.
A key U-turn means the removal of migrants crossing the Channel will not apply retrospectively and will instead only apply from when the Bill receives royal assent.
The Home Office said it had introduced “safeguards” following “scrutiny” in the House of Lords – where peers inflicted 20 defeats against the “stop the boats” legislation.
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However, the bans on e-entry, settlement and citizenship will still apply retrospectively to those who arrived illegally on or after the bill’s introduction on 7 March.
The Home Office said measures will be put in place to ensure the list of definitions of “serious and reversible harm” cannot be amended by secondary legislation.
Another change means the first-tier tribunal can grant immigration bail after eight days to unaccompanied children detained for the purpose of removal, down from the current proposed 28 days.
A further amendment means the government will keep the current rules on the detention of pregnant women, meaning they can only be detained for a maximum of 72 hours – though this can be extended to seven days on the authorisation of a minister.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “This Bill forms a crucial part of our action to stop the boats and ensure people do not risk their lives by making illegal and unnecessary journeys to the UK.
“Today’s amendments will help this crucial legislation pass through Parliament swiftly, whilst continuing to send a clear message that the exploitation of children and vulnerable people, used by criminals and ferried across the Channel, cannot continue.”
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