In one of her first major moves as Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper has declared a powerful offensive against the criminal organisations profiting from small boat crossings in the English Channel. The newly appointed Labour minister has tasked the National Crime Agency (NCA) and intelligence services with a strategic mission to "smash the criminal smuggling gangs" facilitating these dangerous journeys.
The centrepiece of this new approach is the establishment of a Border Security Command, a specialised unit that will bring together expertise from the NCA, MI5, immigration enforcement, and the Crown Prosecution Service. This coordinated effort aims to disrupt the business model of people smuggling from top to bottom.
A New Chapter in Border Enforcement
Cooper's announcement signals a decisive break from previous policies. While the previous government's Rwanda scheme remains officially "on the statute books," Cooper has made it clear that her immediate priority is targeting the organised crime rings rather than the individuals making the crossings.
"The first step is about going after the criminal gangs," Cooper stated, emphasising a law enforcement-led approach to what she described as a "growing problem" that had been neglected.
Addressing the Backlog and Asylum Reform
Beyond border security, Cooper faces the monumental task of clearing the asylum backlog that has left thousands in limbo. She has committed to ending the costly use of hotels for asylum accommodation, which currently costs taxpayers £6 million daily.
Her broader strategy includes:
- Creating a new returns and enforcement unit to remove those without right to remain
- Accelerating processing times for asylum decisions
- Developing a more efficient and fair asylum system
- Exploring new safe and legal routes to undermine smugglers
This comprehensive approach represents the first major step in Labour's plan to regain control of Britain's borders through practical measures rather than symbolic policies.
