A local MP spoke about the recent asylum policy announcement at a debate in the House of Commons. 

The debate on Monday 17 November, followed the recent publication of 'Restoring Order and Control', a new statement on asylum policy from Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood.  

During the debate, David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove, urged Ministers to restore "the fundamental British value of fairness" as part of the Government's reforms to the asylum system. 

The announcement set out a comprehensive package of reforms designed to rebuild confidence in how the UK manages asylum and immigration. 

The plans aim to speed up decision-making, clear the backlog, tighten enforcement against those with no right to remain, and ensure that support is focused on those who genuinely need it.  

Speaking during the statement of the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, Mr Williams said: "This is about fairness. 

"My constituents across Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove are good, kind and compassionate people, and we have a proud tradition of supporting those who need our help the most, yet they know, as we all do, that the immigration system is broken. 

"Does the Secretary of State agree that, unlike the previous Government, who were more concerned about campaigning on the matter, we must take action to bring back the fundamental British value of fairness, so that we can resolve these issues at our borders?" 

Responding, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood MP, said: "I agree with every word my Honourable Friend said. 

"Fairness and contribution are Labour values and British values, and they underpin the totality of these reforms." 

Speaking after the statement, Mr Williams said: "People locally want a system that is firm, fair and workable. 

"They want decisions made in good time, they want abuse of the system stopped, and they want genuine refugees treated with dignity. 

"For too long, the country has been trapped between chaos and empty slogans. 

"I welcome the Government's commitment to get a grip, restore fairness, and rebuild a system that the previous Conservative Government allowed to fall apart."