Since Keir Starmer became the UK Prime Minister in July, over 20,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel.
This total will be confirmed by the Home Office soon. These new figures come as the UK continues to deal with high numbers of migrant crossings, a problem that has affected the country for several years.
Before Sir Keir Starmer took office, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government also saw many migrants crossing the Channel. Under his leadership, more than 50,000 migrants arrived. However, it took around eight months for the number of crossings to reach 20,000 during Sunak's time as Prime Minister. This period also included winter months when crossings usually slow down due to colder weather.
In contrast, Sir Keir's tenure started during the summer, a time when Channel crossings are usually at their highest because of warmer weather. Therefore, it only took five months for the number of crossings to surpass 20,000 since he took over in Number 10.
A Labour source recently shared their thoughts with the press, commenting on the past failures of the Conservative government. They agreed with Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, who said the Conservative Party’s approach to immigration had "let the country down" and "caused lasting harm." The source added that the country voted for change and that Labour would not repeat the same mistakes.
The Labour source also emphasized that the UK government, under Sir Keir Starmer, is now focused on tackling the criminal gangs behind these dangerous Channel crossings. Last week, the Home Secretary traveled to Iraq and signed a new agreement aimed at disrupting people-smuggling networks that help migrants make these risky journeys.
The Labour Party is focusing on breaking down the smuggling gangs and securing the country’s borders. They argue that the “Rwanda plan” introduced by the Conservatives didn't work, as acknowledged by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick. Labour aims to stop the gangs and focus on fixing the immigration system in a smarter way.
This issue of migrants crossing the Channel has grown significantly in recent years. The Prime Minister has pointed out that his government inherited a difficult situation from the previous Conservative leadership. He stated that the Home Office was in chaos when Labour took over, and he promised that the new government would do things differently.
At a press conference, Sir Keir Starmer assured the public that his government would not repeat the mistakes of the past. He promised to reduce immigration numbers, stating that the previous government drove these numbers up. He vowed that his government would work hard to reduce them.
In recent months, the cost of managing the UK’s asylum system has reached new highs. The government now spends £5 billion annually on asylum, the most on record. This is a sharp increase from the previous year, showing how much the system is struggling to cope.
A large number of asylum seekers are being housed in UK hotels. By the end of September, 35,651 people were living in temporary hotel accommodation. This marked a rise of more than 6,000 people in just three months.
The government has been working on new agreements with international partners to address the root causes of the migration crisis. For example, the UK recently signed a deal with Iraq to tackle people-smuggling and improve border security. Sir Keir Starmer has also emphasized the need for international cooperation to reduce the number of dangerous crossings.
The Prime Minister has also promised to crack down on the criminal gangs behind these crossings. He mentioned that taking out these gangs and stopping the boats and engines they use will make it harder for migrants to make these dangerous journeys.
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has also pledged to make progress on these issues as quickly as possible, although she has not set specific targets or timelines for reducing Channel crossings. The National Crime Agency is leading investigations into immigration crime and human trafficking. They are currently handling around 70 active cases.
Tragically, there have been many deaths this year related to these dangerous crossings. The French coastguard has recorded 50 deaths in the Channel, making it the deadliest year for migrants since this crisis began. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has also reported more deaths related to Channel crossings in 2024.
As the UK government works to address these challenges, many people are calling for better and safer solutions to prevent more deaths and improve the management of immigration. The government’s new plans are still in development, but the focus on border security, international partnerships, and tackling the smuggling gangs seems to be a priority.