London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – Nine boats carrying 572 people were intercepted in the Channel, with rising deaths and new security plans.
The Home Office reported that nine boats carrying a total of 572 people attempting to cross the English Channel have been intercepted. This brings the total number of small boat crossings this year to 32,691, a 22% increase compared to the same period last year (26,699). However, the figure is 18% lower than the total of 39,929 recorded by November 2022.
How has the government responded to the rise in crossings?
Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, recently pledged an extra Ā£75 million and a new team of detectives to address what he described as the “national security threat” posed by people smugglers. The government also announced a doubling of funding for border security, raising it to Ā£150 million for the Border Security Command, which was launched earlier this year to tackle small boat crossings and improve enforcement.
What are the concerns over fatalities in the channel?
Tragically, there have been more fatalities in the Channel this year, with four bodies discovered off the coast of Calais by the French coastguard on Tuesday and Wednesday. Excluding these latest deaths, there have been at least 60 fatalities in total among those attempting to cross, five times the number recorded last year. Kent police also reported the recovery of a manās body from the Channel near Dover on Tuesday.
What is the response from refugee and asylum advocacy groups?
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, criticized the governmentās āsmash the gangsā slogan, suggesting it would not be effective. Solomon called for a more orderly and fair asylum system to help refugees integrate, warning that tightening enforcement would only push people smugglers to use more dangerous routes. He argued that smugglers are exploiting vulnerable individuals fleeing conflict or persecution, packing them into overcrowded boats and forcing them to leave from increasingly perilous locations.
What agreements were made to tackle people smuggling?
Starmer also announced new agreements with Serbia, North Macedonia, and Kosovo to enhance intelligence sharing, expertise, and cooperation to combat people smuggling and improve border security. These agreements were made at the European Political Community meeting in Budapest, Hungary, and reflect broader efforts to address migration and people smuggling in Europe.