A Liberal Democrat MP has urged the Government to accelerate asylum application processing to address workforce gaps in agriculture and hospitality.
Marie Goldman, who represents Chelmsford, argued that approved asylum seekers should be permitted to fill positions in industries experiencing severe staff shortages.
“We need more people in our hospitality industry and people picking our crops for example,” Ms Goldman told GB News.
The MP criticised the current system where applicants remain in limbo awaiting decisions. “If they are languishing in the asylum system, we’re getting nowhere. People are frustrated and I can understand why,” she said.
Marie Goldman says the Lib Dems are getting tough on immigration
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GB NEWS / PA
Ms Goldman emphasised the dual benefit of swift processing: those without valid claims could be returned promptly, whilst legitimate refugees could contribute economically rather than remaining idle.
The Liberal Democrats have proposed treating the asylum backlog as a national crisis requiring emergency measures.
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The party advocates establishing Nightingale asylum centres, similar to the temporary hospitals created during the pandemic, to expedite processing of approximately 90,000 pending cases.
“We want to declare a national emergency,” Ms Goldman stated, outlining the party’s vision for rapid resolution of asylum claims.
The proposal involves significantly expanding processing capacity to clear the backlog within six months. Party leader Ed Davey confirmed plans to triple staffing levels dedicated to asylum applications.
Under the Liberal Democrat approach, individuals without legitimate asylum grounds would face immediate deportation to their countries of origin. Those with valid claims would receive swift approval, enabling them to enter the workforce and contribute to sectors experiencing critical labour shortages.
Ed Davey has framed the asylum processing reforms as both economically sensible and morally necessary.
The Liberal Democrat leader argued that swift processing would eliminate hotel accommodation costs whilst addressing the mental health challenges many asylum seekers face. “A lot of them have got mental health problems, trauma they’ve escaped from, and are worried about relatives left behind,” Davey told the Guardian.
Ms Goldman spoke to Katherine Forster on GB News
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GB NEWS
He accused the previous Conservative government of deliberately creating delays as a misguided deterrent strategy. “Kemi Badenoch should apologise for the Conservatives explicitly trying to build a backlog of asylum applications,” Mr Davey said.
The party leader maintained that rapid processing would undermine far-right narratives. “It also takes away a target for the likes of Tommy Robinson,” he stated, positioning efficient asylum handling as crucial for social cohesion.
The Liberal Democrats are presenting their immigration stance at their Bournemouth conference this weekend, with Sir Ed Davey pledging to “stop the boats” through enhanced cooperation with European authorities.
The party seeks to distinguish itself from Reform UK’s approach, with Davey criticising Nigel Farage’s admiration for Vladimir Putin and warning against American-style policies.
“The more Nigel Farage and Reform are exposed for what they believe in, the more people look for other parties of change,” Mr Davey told Sky News.
Party strategists are targeting dozens of Conservative-held constituencies, believing they can attract voters dissatisfied with both major parties.
The Liberal Democrats secured 72 MPs in last year’s election and aim to expand their influence by focusing on practical solutions to immigration alongside their traditional priorities of healthcare and living costs.