REGULARISATION OF UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS

That this House recognises the cross-party commitment to tightening UK borders and reducing undocumented immigration; notes with interest that such undocumented immigration has fallen by well over 50 per cent. in Spain following the 2005 regularisation programme; further notes that a regularisation would lead to significantly less opportunity for low paid workers to be undercut in the UK labour market as well as increased tax revenue for the Exchequer; recognises that the status quo leaves 500,000 people with no recourse to the police or justice system open to abuse, exploitation and profiteering by criminal gangs; and welcomes the debate on regularisation led by a broad collection of think tanks, unions, academic institutions, religious organisations and service providers and the Strangers into Citizens campaign.