Andy Burnham has emphasized his determination to address the issue of small boat arrivals, criticizing his political opponents for politicizing the matter. The Prime Minister has committed to reducing the number of people undertaking risky Channel crossings, highlighting the necessity of safe pathways to disrupt the activities of criminal smuggling networks.
During a visit to Dover, Burnham highlighted a significant decrease in crossings, with current arrivals down by 43% compared to the previous year. The total number of arrivals this year stands at 14,526, a notable drop from last summer’s figure of 25,436.
Acknowledging the progress made, the PM underscored the need for continuous efforts, stating that the public demands action on this issue. He stressed the importance of establishing secure routes to undermine the incentives for smuggling gangs, emphasizing the importance of enhanced enforcement measures.
The issue of small boat crossings has been seized upon by both Reform and the Tories, with Nigel Farage frequently stoking fears of a migrant “invasion.” Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp’s recent focus on small boats led to a comical incident where he accused a French warship of intimidating him with gunfire during an interview in the Channel.
Burnham emphasized the necessity of addressing the issue directly without resorting to political games, focusing on implementing changes that would reassure the public and regain control of the borders. He highlighted the importance of offering support to those in genuine need while reshaping the approach to the issue.
Tragically, at least 13 individuals are reported to have lost their lives attempting to cross the Channel this year, with four casualties occurring in a single day recently. These incidents underscore the dangers associated with small boat crossings.
During his visit to Dover, Burnham inspected the joint command room where agencies like the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency monitor Channel movements using surveillance drones. He was shown a small boat used by 96 migrants earlier in the year, along with the surveillance technology employed to detect such activities.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood visited the NCA headquarters in Stratford, highlighting the government’s efforts to bolster the number of officers combating organized immigration crime. Mahmood expressed satisfaction with the progress in addressing small boat crossings but stressed the importance of addressing the root causes that drive individuals to embark on these journeys.
In a bid to discourage migrants from making the journey to the UK, Mahmood announced various measures, including a controversial proposal to make refugee status temporary. Recent data shows that 326 individuals arrived on Saturday via four boats, bringing the total number of crossings to 2,057 since Burnham assumed office on July 20.
Wednesday marked the busiest day for small boat crossings this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK. Fluctuations in numbers are attributed to weather changes, with peak activity typically observed during the summer months, according to the Home Office.