More than 50,000 people have arrived in the UK via small boat crossings since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister 403 days ago, despite his pledge to “smash the gangs” behind the trade. The Labour leader scrapped the previous government’s Rwanda deportation plan and abandoned the “stop the boats” slogan, redirecting funds towards tackling smuggling networks.
However, the number of Channel crossings has continued to rise, with smuggling gangs still profiting from the desperation of migrants. Reform UK has seen a surge in popularity amid campaigns to close hotels used to house asylum seekers, as claimants wait to learn if they can live and work in the UK.
Experts point to six key reasons for the sustained increase: the lack of a deterrent effect after the Rwanda plan was scrapped; improved weather conditions in the Channel; increased demand from conflict-affected regions; the efficiency of smuggling networks; delays in processing asylum claims; and the absence of effective returns agreements with other countries.
The government maintains that its focus on dismantling criminal gangs will yield long-term results, but critics argue that the current approach has failed to stem the flow of arrivals.
