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book should not make that mistake. If a number is known, we use it. If it is an estimate, we say it is an estimate. If the evidence is disputed, we say that too. The reader deserves nothing less. ## The real cost Perhaps the greatest cost of an uncontrolled-looking system is not even financial. It is confidence. If people believe that the government has lost control of the border, they lose confidence in government itself. If they believe the rules are not enforced, they lose respect for the rules. And if they believe nobody is listening, frustration can turn into anger. That is why getting the numbers right matters. It is not about producing figures that support one side. It is about producing figures that allow the public to understand the problem. And once we understand the cost, we can ask the next question: **What would a better system actually look like?** # Chapter Twelve ## What Would a Better System Look Like? By this point, we have looked at the boats, the smugglers, the asylum system, returns, France, the countries people travel from, and the cost to Britain. The obvious question now is: **What would a better system actually look like?** Not a perfect system. There probably isn't one. And not a system that promises to stop every person from ever entering Britain. That is unrealistic. What Britain needs is a system that is **controlled, understandable, enforceable and fair**. It should have rules. Those rules should mean something. And the public should be able to see that they are being enforced. ## Step One: Control the border The first responsibility of any government is to know who is entering the country. That does not mean turning Britain into a fortress. It means having an immigration system that the Government can actually manage. People arriving through normal legal routes should be processed through the appropriate checks. People arriving irregularly should be identified and dealt with through the asylum and immigration system. The important point is that there should not be an assumption that arrival automatically means permanent residence. ## Step Two: Decide quickly The second part is speed. An asylum claim should not take years to decide simply because the system is overwhelmed. Britain should have enough trained staff to process cases properly and quickly. Straightforward cases should be dealt with quickly. More complicated cases may take longer. But there should be a clear target for decision-making. The public should know how long cases are taking. And the Government should publish the figures. ## Step Three: Protect genuine refugees A controlled immigration system does not have to be an uncaring system. If somebody genuinely needs protection, Britain should provide it according to the law. That is one of the reasons the asylum system exists. But protection should be based on the individual case. It should not simply be a consequence of successfully reaching British territory. That distinction matters. ## Step Four: Deal quickly with unsuccessful claims If a person has been through the process and their claim has been refused, the system should move to the next stage. There may be legitimate appeals. Those appeals should be heard properly. But once the legal process is complete, there should be a clear outcome. If the person has another legal right to remain, that should be recognised. If they do not, the Government should take the necessary steps towards departure. ## Step Five: Make returns work This is one of the biggest weaknesses in any immigration system. A refusal is only meaningful if there is a realistic way to carry it