Rebecca Harris, Member of Parliament for Castle Point, has this week delivered a speech in the House of Commons warning about the dangers of uncontrolled immigration. Speaking during the debate on the Immigration Bill, Mrs Harris said that immigration and its effects had become the number one issue raised with her during the general election campaign.

In a ten minute speech to the House of Commons in support of the Bill being proposed by the Home Secretary, Theresa May, Mrs Harris made it clear that she believes much more should be done to combat the level of illegal immigration into Britain.

The Immigration Bill seeks to introduce new sanctions on illegal workers and rogue employers and will also make it tougher for those working in the UK illegally to access housing, driving licences and bank accounts. Mrs Harris pointed out the negative impact that high levels of illegal immigration have on essential public services, noting that if current levels are maintained, Britain will have to find an extra nine hundred thousand school places by 2024.

While commending the contribution to society of legal migrants, the Castle Point MP made it clear that current levels of migration are simply unsustainable. Commenting on the effects of immigration on her own constituency, Mrs Harris:

“In Castle Point we have a shortage of housing, a shortage of space for housing, and, most acutely, a serious shortage of affordable private rental accommodation. Hard working families must wait for accommodation, sometimes for months and months. They naturally feel that it is just plain wrong if even part of the reason is illegal workers taking up private rental properties.”

In introducing the Bill, the Home Secretary said:

“If we are to continue building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and people who come here legitimately to play by the rules and contribute to our society, we must ensure that it is balanced and sustainable, and that net migration can be managed.”