The Conservative government's illegal immigration policy, according to former Tory chairman Jake Berry, was "working," but Labour has largely reversed it, undermining the policy's advancement. The member for Rossendale and Darwen, Berry emphasized, "in particular the idea that people who went to our country illegally cannot claim asylum." His remarks followed the release of Home Office statistics that showed a conflicting picture, showing a 29% decline in small boat crossings and a 48% increase in forcible returns.

Nevertheless, in 2024, the UK's asylum backlog increased in spite of promises made by the previous administration to reduce the number. The information also revealed that Keir Starmer inherited a decline in net migration following modifications made by Sunak's administration.

Berry proceeded, saying as much to Times Radio:

The third thing that it seems to me proves is how completely stupid Rishi Sunak was to push for an early election.

"I hear all the time what a smart guy he is. Since the interest rate has dropped, the economy is expanding, and immigration is declining, I believe he must have lost his mind that day, if he ever had one in the first place.

It will simply go down in political history as one of the most egregious political miscalculations and judgments ever made."

Labour is set to continue with some Conservative policies on legal immigration, including the restrictions on who is eligible for dependent visas.