Sky News paused for a breaking update on Thursday (24 September), and it's a bad look for Andy Burnham. Bringing the programme to a halt, journalist Mhari Aurora announced that 781 migrants had arrived in the UK on Wednesday (23 September), after crossing the English Channel.
"It is the highest number for a single day so far this year," Aurora declared, reiterating that it had been a "record-breaking day" for Britain.
Home secretary's 'unacceptable' dinghy remark
"Now, let's not forget this is after Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said it was 'unacceptable' that a dinghy had arrived in the UK, without actually being monitored or being escorted," the presenter continued.
"There is a concern around how many of these people-smuggling gangs are managing to launch boats from further west in France, bringing people to the UK's coasts and potentially, people absconding and not being monitored by authorities. A record-breaking day for small boat crossings for 2026."
Burnham's response to Piddington referendum
Thursday's report comes just over a week after the prime minister issued a new statement on migration. Speaking with Sky News after the residents of Piddington voted to withdraw from the UK - a symbolic gesture made to protest the Government's plans to house over 1,000 asylum seekers at a nearby military site - Burnham said he understood the "strength of feeling" surrounding the ongoing crisis.
"I understand the strength of feeling, and that's something that is across the country, but the only thing to do is to get the number of crossings down," he declared.
"And they are significantly down; they are now at a seven-year low. But we also made a commitment to people to end the use of hotels to house refugees and asylum seekers. And that commitment needs to be honoured, and I think the vast majority of people are saying, 'Yep, that really does need to proceed'.
"It's about fairness across the country, not saying only one part of the country or one group of communities should do all of the work," Burnham continued.
"It's difficult, and obviously, I will look at the issues being raised by the community and in the referendum, but we have to ensure that we have a fair plan as well as getting the numbers down, and the numbers are coming down significantly."
Public reaction on X
However, following Sky's confirmation that another 781 migrants had arrived in the UK on Wednesday, it appears the public isn't convinced by Burnham's assurances. Responding to the report on X, one viewer quipped, "Must be a mistake, Labour have stopped the boats, smashed the gangs, and crossings are down. Can't be true."
"Wasn't it just last week that clueless Labour politicians were telling us that crossings were down and that everything was under control. Don't suppose that many will be making comments today," tweeted a second.
