Migrant small boat crossings on track for worst year

Record numbers spark pressure on Labour

Migrant small boat crossings are on track for the worst year to date, with a record 1,489 illegal migrants making the risky Channel journey between the start of January and February 6. This surpasses the numbers from the same period in previous years, heaping more pressure on Labour to address the issue.

Blame on weather conditions

The Home Office has attributed the rise in crossings to the high number of days with favorable weather conditions in the Channel. This has created opportunities for more migrants to attempt the dangerous journey.

Political tensions rise

Labour has been grappling with the increasing numbers since coming into power seven months ago, pledging to crack down on people smuggling gangs profiting from these crossings. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip criticized PM Sir Keir Starmer for scrapping the Rwanda deportation plan and accused the government of being weak on border control.

Upcoming vote on Borders Bill

MPs are set to vote on Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s Borders Bill, which aims to equip immigration police with counter-terror-style powers to combat people traffickers. The bill comes in response to the escalating migrant crossings in small boats, with last year seeing a significant increase from the previous year.