Senior Tories criticise Illegal Migration Bill but MPs reject Lords changes

Some senior Tory MPs, including former PM Theresa May, have criticised the government’s asylum reforms as MPs overturned changes made by the House of Lords to the Illegal Migration Bill. 

Dozens of senior Tories have called for a different approach from ministers. 

Despite the calls, MPs voted to reject revisions peers had made to the bill in the Lords. 

The bill is important to the government’s plans to stop small boat crossings in the English Channel, believing the bill will deter people from making the crossing. 

The changes voted for by the Lords have been overturned by MPs in a series of 18 votes. 

The bill now heads to the Lords again, for peers to consider the changes made by MPs.