Simon Jonesand
Daniel Sexton,South East
The Reform UK leadership of Kent County Council (KCC) is seeking to declare an “illegal migration emergency” in the county.
A motion will be debated at a full council meeting on Thursday after the political group said Kent was at the forefront of a small boat “invasion” which was putting a strain on its public services and finances.
Opposition politicians have accused the party of scaremongering.
The Home Office said it had brought in a “raft of tough new measures to make the UK a less attractive place for illegal migrants” and it “would not stop until migration was under control again”.
The KCC motion, proposed by Reform councillors David Wimble and Jeremy Eustace, says migration is causing financial strain, as well as affecting culture, community cohesion and crime levels.
It calls on the leader of the council to demand the government stop the arrival of small boats immediately, increase funding to cover its costs, and to press for more support for the county’s emergency services.
The party said costs such as the care of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children up to the age of 25, were placing a “huge strain” on the county.
It states: “Clearly, the Reform administration cannot take national-level action; however, until there is a change… the county will continue to suffer the consequences in a way that is disproportionate to the rest of the country”.
“As Leader of Reform in KCC, I refuse to sit back and do nothing.
“The people of Kent deserve councillors who will stand up to government on their behalf and speak truth to power.”
Steve Smith, from the charity Care4Calais, added: “Referring to Channel crossings by those seeking asylum as an ‘invasion’ is alarmist rhetoric intended to provoke fear rather than solve complex immigration challenges.
“The focus should be on fair, efficient processing and safe routes.
“Where is the compassion for people who have lost everything?”
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This government inherited a broken immigration system, and since coming into office we have stopped over 40,000 crossing attempts and removed or deported almost 60,000 people.
“The Home Secretary recently laid down new measures to revoke accommodation and support payments for many asylum seekers, alongside a raft of tough new measures to make the UK a less attractive place for illegal migrants.
“We will not stop until migration is under control once again.”