NGOs, MPs and academics call for withdrawal of UK’s illegal migration bill

More than 60 signatories write to PM before Tuesday’s debate, warning bill will ‘cost lives’

More than 60 NGOs, MPs and academics have written to Rishi Sunak urging him to withdraw the UK’s illegal migration bill, warning that it will drive modern slavery underground and “cost lives”.

Ahead of the controversial bill’s committee stage debate on Tuesday, signatories, including Anti-Slavery International, After Exploitation and Liberty say it would “rob” people fleeing danger of the right to claim asylum, simply for entering the UK irregularly.