Migrant small boat crossings are on track for the worst year ever as Labour is slammed over their “idiotic” decision to scrap the Rwanda deportation plan.
Statistics have shown that between January and February 6, a record 1,489 illegal migrants crossed the English Channel.
This number tops the 1,335 who crossed this time last year and the 1,442 in 2023.
The Home Office claims the rise is due to a high number of days when weather in the Channel was good.
This number tops the 1,335 who crossed this time last year and the 1,442 in 2023
PA
Since Labour took power last summer, they have been faced with the challenge of the rising numbers.
The party promised to crack down on people-smuggling gangs who profit from the dangerous migrant journeys.
However, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip has hit out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for “idiotically” getting rid of the Rwanda scheme.
Phillip said: “Labour is introducing their Border Surrender Bill which gives illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.”
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“This is a weak government led by a weak PM,” he told The Sun.
Deputy Reform leader Richard Tice also weighed in, claiming the PM’s plans to “smash the gangs” only attracted more migrants.
He said: “Starmer’s plans have failed. They must change course and adopt Reform policy to pick up the boats and take them back.”
Next week, MPs will vote on Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s Borders Bill, which would give immigration authorities counter-terror-style power to crack down on human traffickers.
Deputy Reform leader Richard Tice claimed the PM’s plans to “smash the gangs” only attracted more migrants
PA
However, while crossings are currently at an all-time-high, the trend may not continue throughout the rest of the year.
In 2022 at this point in the year, 1,339 migrants had crossed the Channel, and it went on to be the worst year ever with 45,755 illegal arrivals in total.
In 2024, there was 36,816 crossings, up from the 29,437 the previous year, largely because of more people being dangerously crammed into each boat.