[1] The main focus of the bill is to reduce or end "small boat crossings", across the English Channel, by ways described as "pushing against international law".

[5] This issue was one of five key priorities outlined in January 2023 by prime minister Rishi Sunak,[6] who tweeted: "If you come here illegally, you can't claim asylum.

The proposed bill has been met with backlash from UK rights groups and United Nations agencies, and questions about its legality have been raised.

[12][13][14] The bill drew criticism from BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker, who posted tweets about the plans, including one in which he described its language as "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".

[15] The BBC subsequently removed him from his presenting role on Match of the Day, saying Lineker's statement violated their impartiality policy.