Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026 · Votes to 12 Nov 2026

Motion For Debate · S6M-08680 · Session 6

Illegal Migration Bill

Carried Lodged by Shirley-Anne Somerville SNP Lodged 24 Apr 2023 Debate 25 Apr 2023 2 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament deems the UK Government’s proposed Illegal Migration Bill to be dehumanising and immoral; notes that the bill proposes that anyone who enters the UK by irregular routes would not be able to remain in the UK, and would be subject to detention and then returned to their home country or what the UK Government deems to be a safe third country such as Rwanda; agrees that the proposals in this bill will remove access to support for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, including children, potentially forcing them into further exploitation and destitution; acknowledges that the Home Secretary has no confidence that the bill is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights; notes the strict limitations on any formal routes for people seeking asylum; agrees that the UK has moral and international legal obligations to uphold the 1951 Refugee Convention and offer a place of safety to people, including children, fleeing conflict and persecution, and affirms that sanctuary should be available under these obligations to those fleeing war and persecution, and that Scotland remains welcoming to such vulnerable people in their time of need.

What MSPs voted on: the motion as amended

The SNP’s motion was changed by a Labour amendment (S6M-08680.1) before this vote. A vote ‘for’ was a vote for the SNP’s motion with Labour’s changes.

That the Parliament deems the UK Government’s proposed Illegal Migration Bill to be dehumanising and immoral; notes that the bill proposes that anyone who enters the UK by irregular routes would not be able to remain in the UK, and would be subject to detention and then returned to their home country or what the UK Government deems to be a safe third country such as Rwanda; agrees that the proposals in this bill will remove access to support for some of the most vulnerable people in the world, including children, potentially forcing them into further exploitation and destitution; acknowledges that the Home Secretary has no confidence that the bill is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights; notes the strict limitations on any formal routes for people seeking asylum; agrees that the UK has moral and international legal obligations to uphold the 1951 Refugee Convention and offer a place of safety to people, including children, fleeing conflict and persecution, and affirms that sanctuary should be available under these obligations to those fleeing war and persecution, and that Scotland remains welcoming to such vulnerable people in their time of need.S6M-08680.1 Labour , and agrees with the assessment of the Equality and Human Rights Commission that the bill risks undermining the universality of human rights and protections for victims of trafficking and modern slavery, as well as breaching the UK’s obligations under both the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Final wording as read into the Official Report at Decision Time. The marked changes are worked out by this site from the amendment texts and match that wording.

Amendments

  1. S6M-08680.1 Labour Paul O'Kane Agreed vote, 83–28

Signatures by party

2 MSPs besides the lodger · 0 from other parties
SNP 2

Party on the day each MSP signed. Signing a motion is voluntary and not whipped. Who signs whose motions

Vote

1 division
  1. 25 Apr 2023
    Illegal Migration Bill
    S6M-08680as amended by Labour
    Carried
    82 for, 28 against

Amendments

1
  1. S6M-08680.1
    Illegal Migration Bill
    Paul O'Kane Lab Lodged 24 Apr 2023
    Carried
    83 for, 28 against

Supporters

2 MSPs

SNP 2

Show all 2 supporters by party

SNP 2

Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.

In the Official Report

4 contributions mention S6M-08680
  1. 25 Apr 2023
    Illegal Migration Bill
    Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

    The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-08680, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the Illegal Migration Bill. I would be grateful if members who wish to speak in the debate could press their request-to-speak button now.…

  2. 25 Apr 2023
    Decision Time
    Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

    There are three questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that amendment S6M-08680.1, in the name of Paul O’Kane, which seeks to amend motion S6M-08680, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the Illeg…

  3. 25 Apr 2023
    Decision Time
    Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

    The next question is, that motion S6M-08680, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, on the Illegal Migration Bill, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.

  4. 25 Apr 2023
    Decision Time
    Alison Johnstone Meeting of the Parliament

    The result of the division on motion S6M-08680, in the name of Shirley-Anne Somerville, as amended, is: For 82, Against 28, Abstentions 0. Motion, as amended, agreed to, That the Parliament deems the UK Government's proposed Illegal Migrat…