Kent County Council’s Reform UK administration is set to vote on declaring an “illegal migration emergency” this Thursday, in what is believed to be the first such declaration by a local authority.
The motion, tabled by councillors David Wimble and Jeremy Eustace, argues that the county sits at the frontline of Channel crossings that are placing considerable pressure on local services and finances.
A five-page report accompanying the proposal warns that small boat arrivals are “likely to contain a number of potential terrorist cells, supporting IS and al-Qaeda”.
Council leader Linden Kemkaran said: “Illegal small boat crossings are not a distant problem for Kent. As Leader of Reform in KCC, I refuse to sit back and do nothing.”
The motion estimates that irregular migration costs Kent families approximately £368 annually for a household of four.
Reform councillors are demanding that the Labour Government halt small boat arrivals immediately and provide complete funding to cover expenses incurred by the county.
The proposal highlights the statutory obligation to care for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, noting that government funding diminishes for those aged 18 to 21 and ceases entirely for young adults up to 25.
The report also claims that crime committed by foreign nationals has reached “epidemic” proportions, with an offence occurring every three minutes nationally.
Kent County Council’s Reform UK administration is set to vote on declaring an ‘illegal migration emergency’ this Thursday, in what is believed to be the first such declaration by a local authority
|
GETTY
Cultural concerns feature prominently, with the motion stating that arrivals come from nations with “very different cultures, norms and values to the UK”, including places where “extreme violence is common” and “honour killings are rife”.
Opposition parties have branded the Reform motion as “scaremongering” and described the language used as “shameful”.
Green group leader Councillor Mark Hood accused Reform of peddling “desperate division and disinformation” rather than pursuing practical measures to protect residents.
“The claims that Kent residents are footing the bill for irregular migration is simply incorrect,” he stated, arguing that Home Office funding has actually improved many properties used for accommodation and that other costs are fully recovered from central government.
Dover is a hotbed for Channel crossings
|
PA
Steve Smith from Care4Calais said: “Referring to Channel crossings by those seeking asylum as an ‘invasion’ is alarmist rhetoric intended to provoke fear rather than solve complex immigration challenges.”
He called for compassion and fair processing alongside safe routes for those who have “lost everything”.
The Home Office has defended the Government’s record on tackling irregular migration.
A spokesman stated: “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.”
“We will not stop until migration is under control once again,” the spokesman added.
The Home Secretary recently introduced measures to revoke accommodation and support payments for many asylum seekers, alongside additional steps designed to make Britain a less appealing destination for those entering illegally.
Reform UK secured control of Kent County Council last May, winning 57 of 81 available seats, though departures have since reduced their number to 47 councillors.
