Best of the Spectator Coffee House Shots: Katie Lam on immigration, benefits and the border
Jul 26, 2025
Katie Lam, the dynamic MP for Weald and shadow spokesman on home affairs, joins Tim Shipman for an insightful discussion. They dive into the intricacies of immigration policies and the welfare system, emphasizing the need for reform. Katie shares personal family stories while advocating for honest conversations about assimilation. They also tackle the shifting political landscape and the challenges facing the Conservative Party. Plus, Katie highlights the fascinating parallels between her dual careers in politics and scriptwriting, fueling her optimistic vision for Britain.
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Non-British Welfare Costs Are High
- One in six universal credit recipients in the UK are non-British, costing about six billion pounds annually.
- This large welfare cost is difficult to reduce, illustrating complexities in welfare and immigration debates.
Limit Benefits For ILR Holders
- Restrict welfare access for people with indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to reduce long-term burden on taxpayers.
- Maintain ILR as a status for settlement, but exclude benefits to ensure sustainability.
Immigration Shapes Broader Policy
- Immigration impacts many interconnected issues like housing and welfare bills.
- Tackling migration is essential to have legitimate democratic conversations on these wider social problems.