Pressure mounts on Labour as small boat arrivals hit a new milestone
More than 150,000 illegal migrants have crossed the Channel on small boats over the past five years, surpassing the populations of towns like Blackpool and Cambridge. With 22,000 arrivals since Labour came into power, the party is under fire for axing the Rwanda deportation plan.
Rising numbers and calls for action
This year alone, 35,898 migrants have made the journey across the Channel, marking a 22% increase from the previous year. The rise has been attributed to favorable weather conditions, with October and November particularly seeing a surge in crossings. The crisis has led to at least 50 deaths in 2023.
Tougher measures on the horizon
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has promised stronger action against smuggling gangs, with new legislation planned for 2025 to combat organized immigration crime. Cooper criticized the Tories for lax enforcement and highlighted Labour's efforts to increase removals and strengthen border security.
Labour's response and challenges ahead
Labour has abandoned the Rwanda deportation plan but is exploring options like Italy's deal with Albania for processing asylum claims. Despite facing criticism, the party aims to strengthen border controls and fix the immigration system while addressing record levels of net migration into the UK.
