This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6424377.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Reid targets illegal immigrants Reid targets illegal immigrants
(about 2 hours later)
A new clampdown is aimed at preventing "foreigners" coming to the UK illegally and "stealing our benefits" and NHS services, the home secretary has said. A clampdown has been launched targeting "foreigners [who] come to this country illegitimately and steal our benefits", home secretary John Reid has said.
John Reid told the BBC he wanted to make life "uncomfortable and constrained" for illegal immigrants. He hoped to make life "uncomfortable and constrained" for illegal migrants.
He unveiled plans for a pan-government effort to ensure that illegal migrants cannot get housing, healthcare or work. Plans include a pan-government effort to ensure that illegal immigrants cannot get housing, healthcare or work.
But the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants warned Mr Reid against "hyping up public emotions". The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants warned against "hyping up public emotions". The Tories said there was "nothing much new" in the package.
ILLEGAL MIGRANTS Home office estimate: 310,000 - 570,000Migration Watch estimate: 515,000 - 870,000
Shadow home office minister Damian Green said of the plans: "It is a package of announcements rather than anything changing."
He said the idea that most illegal immigrants were in the UK "to scrounge off the benefits system" was factually wrong, saying instead that most were in the UK to work.
Undermine
The Home Office plans include a proposal to run a pilot scheme to send text messages reminding people not to overstay their visas.The Home Office plans include a proposal to run a pilot scheme to send text messages reminding people not to overstay their visas.
This has been criticised by opposition parties, but Mr Reid dismissed it as a minor measure, stressing instead the core of the package was to beef up the powers of immigration officers to police the borders, as well as compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals seeking to settle in the UK.This has been criticised by opposition parties, but Mr Reid dismissed it as a minor measure, stressing instead the core of the package was to beef up the powers of immigration officers to police the borders, as well as compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals seeking to settle in the UK.
REID'S PROPOSALS 'Watch list' of people not entitled to public servicesEnforcement teams to track down bosses employing illegal workersCompulsory ID cards for foreign nationalsText alerts for people overstaying visasPossible £20,000 fines for landlords housing illegal immigrantsPilot schemes to use ID card data to ensure migrants pay for NHS care Send us your comments REID'S PROPOSALS 'Watch list' of people not entitled to public servicesEnforcement teams to track down bosses employing illegal workersCompulsory ID cards for foreign nationalsText alerts for people overstaying visasPossible £20,000 fines for landlords housing illegal immigrantsRemove driving licencesPilot schemes to use ID card data to ensure migrants pay for NHS care Send us your comments
Mr Reid told BBC Breakfast: "It is unfair that foreigners come to this country illegitimately and steal our benefits, steal our services like the NHS and undermine the minimum wage by working.Mr Reid told BBC Breakfast: "It is unfair that foreigners come to this country illegitimately and steal our benefits, steal our services like the NHS and undermine the minimum wage by working.
"Year on year, we are going to make it even more difficult for them to do that.""Year on year, we are going to make it even more difficult for them to do that."
And he told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are now throwing out more asylum seekers - failed asylum seekers - than ever before."And he told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are now throwing out more asylum seekers - failed asylum seekers - than ever before."
Measures being introduced include a "watch list" of illegal migrants to alert government agencies if someone applies for services to which they are not entitled. Estimates vary widely as to how many illegal immigrants are living in the UK. The Home Office ran into trouble last year when it said it had no idea, but later produced an estimate of up to 570,000.
Pressure group Migration Watch puts the figure at between 515,000 and 870,000.
Measures being introduced to make life more difficult for illegal immigrants includes a "watch list" to alert government agencies if someone applies for services to which they are not entitled.
Workplace enforcement teams will also attempt to track down companies employing people who should not be in the country.Workplace enforcement teams will also attempt to track down companies employing people who should not be in the country.
'Exploitation''Exploitation'
There will also be pilot schemes in three NHS trusts using data from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to ensure migrants pay for care where required to do so.There will also be pilot schemes in three NHS trusts using data from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to ensure migrants pay for care where required to do so.
Mr Reid said most people who came to the UK wanted to comply fully with immigration laws but those who did not should not enjoy the same benefits and privileges.Mr Reid said most people who came to the UK wanted to comply fully with immigration laws but those who did not should not enjoy the same benefits and privileges.
LEGAL MIGRATION 2004 - 07 EU accession countries: 427,000 (about 600,000 including self-employed)Dependants: 36,000Non-EU settlement: 318,330Granted asylum: 123,000Non-EU work permits: 261,235, plus 87,000 dependantsTotal: 1,425,565Source: Home Office
"That's why the time is now right to tackle the root cause of the problem - exploitation. We have to tackle not only the illegal trafficking but also the illegal jobs at the end of the journey."That's why the time is now right to tackle the root cause of the problem - exploitation. We have to tackle not only the illegal trafficking but also the illegal jobs at the end of the journey.
"This new approach will make life in this country ever more uncomfortable and constrained for those who come here illegally," the home secretary said."This new approach will make life in this country ever more uncomfortable and constrained for those who come here illegally," the home secretary said.
'Positive step'
The policy has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Spokesman Grahame Maxwell said it was "a really positive step forward for the Home Office, police and other agencies".The policy has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Spokesman Grahame Maxwell said it was "a really positive step forward for the Home Office, police and other agencies".
Department for Work and Pensions minister Jim Murphy said he welcomed forging closer links with immigration services to make the strategy work.
"The DWP is committed to doing all it could to ensure that people who live, work or claim benefits in Britain do so legally," he said.
Meanwhile, further education minister Bill Rammell said the Department for Education was "on the case" of colleges which act as a front for foreign nationals to enter the country and stay as students.Meanwhile, further education minister Bill Rammell said the Department for Education was "on the case" of colleges which act as a front for foreign nationals to enter the country and stay as students.
If tough rhetoric and gimmicks were enough to sort out our immigration system, we would have the best in the world Nick Clegg, Lib DemsIf tough rhetoric and gimmicks were enough to sort out our immigration system, we would have the best in the world Nick Clegg, Lib Dems
However, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants chief executive Habib Rahman said: "Barring up to half a million irregular migrants in the UK from access to rights and services is not a realistic or humane response."However, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants chief executive Habib Rahman said: "Barring up to half a million irregular migrants in the UK from access to rights and services is not a realistic or humane response."
He added: "We want a more balanced approach, not just hyping up public emotions on some very emotive subjects."He added: "We want a more balanced approach, not just hyping up public emotions on some very emotive subjects."
He called for action on people trafficking rather than a crackdown on the "victims" of it and an amnesty on illegal workers.He called for action on people trafficking rather than a crackdown on the "victims" of it and an amnesty on illegal workers.
Shadow home secretary David Davis accused John Reid of giving up on trying to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, preferring to "spam them with text messages".Shadow home secretary David Davis accused John Reid of giving up on trying to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, preferring to "spam them with text messages".
Shadow immigration minister Damian Green said: "The idea that you are texting someone, saying that we are on your trail is just a joke. Do they have the mobile numbers of more than half a million illegal immigrants? No of course they don't."
He added: "This is a man floundering around, desperate for something that will grab him a tabloid headline rather than somebody getting to grips with the real problem."
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "If tough rhetoric and gimmicks were enough to sort out our immigration system, we would have the best in the world."Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "If tough rhetoric and gimmicks were enough to sort out our immigration system, we would have the best in the world."