By Sarah Atherton

MP for Wrexham

I am well aware of how important the issue of stopping the boats and controlling our borders is to the people of Wrexham. This UK Conservative Government has made significant headway in tackling illegal migration and I am pleased that the Prime Minister has acknowledged that the current situation at our borders is unacceptable and unsustainable.

As such, the UK Government has introduced several measures to tackle illegal migration:

• Since December 2022, the Government has returned more than 4,100 Albanians who came here illegally.

• Changing the law so that if people come here illegally, they will not be able to claim asylum in the UK.

• Bringing down small boat arrivals by 36% in 2023.

Whilst the Rwanda Bill has generated a large amount of publicity, it is only one of several measures the Government is taking to address illegal migration. Whilst the Rwanda Bill is not perfect, it represents a clear deterrent and contains some of the toughest illegal migration laws to date, and it is noteworthy that other countries are now looking at following our lead.

That being said, I feel that the Rwanda Bill could be strengthened to avoid the potential for yet more challenges by European Courts. Last week, I voted on amendments to do exactly that. This is not because I am against the legislation, but because like everybody else I want it to work. Whilst the amendments did not pass, I gave the Bill my overall support despite what I see as its weaknesses because it does take us in the right direction. To read my full statement, click on ‘Rwanda Statement’ on my website ‘News Page’: sarahatherton.org.uk.

Meanwhile, whilst we must adhere to the court’s ruling on Wrexham’s Local Development Plan (LDP), communities across Wrexham will inevitably now feel the impact of 8,000 houses being built on land at Lower Berse Farm, in Rhosrobin and in Rossett. Wrexham’s LDP is based on Welsh Labour Government ‘National Wales Plan’ housing figures which have wrongly forecasted significant population growth in Wrexham. Even though this proposed population rise has been proven incorrect, the Welsh Labour Government is refusing to revisit these inflated housing numbers. As such, the Welsh Government is pushing through large-scale unnecessary housing developments via Wrexham’s LDP.

Whilst I am not opposed to more housing, future property developments require improvements to existing infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, drainage systems, GP surgeries and emergency services first. In addition, the Welsh Labour Government is underfunding our statutory services, proposing cuts to this year’s education budget despite having the lowest Pisa test results in the UK, stopping all new road building, and has imposed a default 20mph speed limit which is causing further congestion on our roads.

Wrexham’s LDP, a plan imposed on us by the Welsh Government and Labour Councillors and Senedd Members, will only serve to exacerbate the existing challenges that my constituents face daily with public services and infrastructure, which the Welsh Labour Government simply refuse to acknowledge.

Sadly, the story of the Welsh Labour Government’s high-handed approach continues. An example of this is that they are reducing business rate relief for Welsh retail and hospitality from 75% to 40%, whilst the UK Government continues to back businesses in England with the 75% rate relief. The First Minister has stated that this money is needed to ‘prop’ up public services, such as the NHS. The Welsh Labour Government receives a significant funding settlement from the UK Government, where Wales receives £1.20 to spend on public services for every £1 spent in England. The Welsh Labour Government has ample resources to fund public services, but they continue to fail to spend this money where it really matters, such as healthcare.

Instead, they waste money on unnecessary projects like increasing the number of politicians in the Senedd and the 20mph blanket policy, which together cost well over £140 million. The Welsh Government should support our local businesses by keeping rate relief at 75% and adequately fund health care services - it shouldn’t be an either/or. It is deeply saddening to hear that Wrexham businesses, who have diversified post-COVID-19 are now thinking about closure or considering moving across the border. Worryingly, this is the reality of Welsh Labour’s nonsensical policies and is a real example of what a UK Labour Government would deliver.

If you are a resident in the current Wrexham constituency boundary and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me on:

sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.