Two Labour MPs have delivered a savage jab at Nigel Farage's Reform UK - suggesting they had "too many jobs" to be in the Commons for a crunch immigration debate.

Kenneth Stevenson accused Reform of being focussed on "pitting working people against one another" and leaving many who have lived in the UK for decades "frightened". As he delivered his speech, Dover MP Mike Tapp stood up to point out that no Reform MPs were in the Commons at that point in the debate on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

Pointing to their absense, Mr Tapp asked: "Does my honourable friend (Mr Stevenson) agree that perhaps the reason Reform aren't here tonight is because they've got so many other jobs to attend to?"

It comes after records revealed Mr “Nine Jobs” Farage has found time for a tenth role among his £1m a year side-hustles - selling nappies online. Mr Stevenson responded to Mr Tapp: "I certainly agree with him."

The exchange came as MPs grappled with the Government's new Bill, which includes tough measures to crack down on people smugglers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said measures - including 14 year sentences for those who handle or supply small boat parts - will help tackle the "vile" trade.

Turning his sights on the absent Mr Farage, Labour's Mr Stevenson told MPs: "It remains absolutely absurd that Reform UK and increasingly the Tories under the leader of the opposition (Kemi Badenoch), point the finger at a government that is actually working to address this issue rather than work cooperatively to save lives, punish criminals, secure their borders.

"It would be fair to say that Reform UK are engaging in a form of politics that absolutely scrapes the barrel. They are focused on pitting working people against one another.

"Their language and manner has seen people settled in this country for decades becoming increasingly frightened about walking their own streets and they have no care whatsoever of their actions erode the great British values of tolerance, inclusivity and respect."

Mr Farage has banked a whopping £571,585 on top of his MP's salary in less than six months, official records show.