Chris Philp and Nick Thomas-Symonds among political figures debating crime and immigration – UK general election live | Politics

The Economist conducted constituency research in Gillingham and Rainham ahead of the general election.

The WeThink poll shows Labor on 55%, the Conservative Party on 23% and Reform UK on 15%.

And that concludes the Channel 4 debate.

Thomas-Symonds said the UK should set an example of upholding international law and using the international aid budget to help people return to their country of origin.

On mass migration, Philip said the key was peace and prosperity, such as promoting free trade.

Iorwerth said the climate crisis is the main driver of migration. Theiss responds that it is about creating economic growth in developing nations to reduce the pressure on migration.

Plaid Cymru’s Rhun ap Iorwerth spoke about being assaulted as a teenager.

Tice said the Green Party’s policies would attract more asylum seekers. And the UK must turn back people trying to cross the Channel.

Denyer said the Greens would create safe and legal routes, allow asylum seekers to work while awaiting a decision on their claim, end indefinite detention and scrap the Rwanda scheme.

Philp says the Rwanda scheme acts as a deterrent to tackling the small boat problem. Tice replies that 800 people have crossed the Channel today.

Thomas-Symonds says Labor will redirect money from the Rwanda scheme to a Border Security Command bringing together all security agencies and services.

Cooper says the Lib Dems will scrap the Rwanda migration scheme and instead the money will be spent on 6,000 Home Office immigration officers.

Official figures show a much smaller increase in recorded knife crime overall since 2011.

On the processing of asylum applications, Theiss says that 15 years ago it took two weeks to be assessed and there was a right to appeal within a week, and that the number accepted has increased by 20% to 75%.