Small Boat Crossings Exceed 20,000 Under Labour Government

Official data has confirmed that over 20,000 individuals have traversed the English Channel in small boats since the Labour party assumed office. This significant figure was reached within the five months following the July election, attributed to a substantial increase in crossings this October compared to the previous year. The total number of crossings this year remains below the levels observed in 2022, a period when a late-summer surge propelled figures to unprecedented highs. Nevertheless, the current totals represent an increase over last year’s numbers, highlighting the considerable political challenge confronting Sir Keir Starmer’s administration. Ministers privately acknowledge that successfully addressing irregular and illegal migration is fundamental to public perception of the government. The latest statistics, updated on Monday, indicate that 122 people arrived in two small boats on Sunday, bringing the cumulative total since 5 July – the date Sir Keir entered Downing Street after Labour’s election victory – to 20,110. This figure contrasts with 17,020 individuals who completed the crossing between the same dates last year. This rise is largely due to a spike in crossings during October, with Home Office sources citing a greater number of days with calmer seas during that month, relative to the previous year. The volume of migrants crossing during Labour’s initial five months in power is comparable to the 20,839 individuals who crossed between July and November 2021. However, this total is less than the 31,264 who crossed during the equivalent period in 2022, which stands as the highest year on record for overall crossings. Labour has discontinued the previous government’s proposal to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda, a measure intended to deter crossings. This initiative was initially unveiled in April 2022 under Boris Johnson’s leadership, but it had not been implemented by the time of the election. Speaking in the Commons, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper characterized the policy as a “grotesque waste of money”. Instead, the government states its intention to curb crossings by targeting the criminal organizations involved in smuggling individuals into the UK. The government aims to grant police broader authority to combat these gangs and intends to enhance collaboration with law enforcement agencies in other nations. Last week, ministers announced an agreement where the UK will provide financial assistance to Iraq for bolstering its border security, coupled with commitments for increased intelligence sharing and joint enforcement activities. Additionally, ministers seek to enable police to utilize counter-terrorism powers from the Blair era to search individuals suspected of involvement in human smuggling. Prior to the election, Labour had also expressed a desire for additional powers to limit smugglers’ internet and travel access, as well as “live monitoring” of their financial accounts. The necessary legislation to confer these new powers upon the police has not yet been released and is anticipated to require several months for parliamentary approval. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp labeled the government’s strategy as “weak and vacuous,” calling on ministers to “urgently re-instate” the Rwanda policy. He further stated, “These figures show that under Keir Starmer, the gangs are thriving.”