3,000 Illegal Boat Migrants Land in Britain Since Labour Took Power

Since the Labour Party assumed power earlier this month, more than 3,200 illegal migrants have crossed the English Channel from France, raising concerns about Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to curbing these crossings. Reports from GB News indicate that at least 133 migrants arrived on British shores on a single day, contributing to a total of nearly 17,000 for the year, predominantly under the previous Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak, which faced significant backlash over its immigration policies. Prime Minister Starmer has pledged to dismantle the criminal networks facilitating these crossings, emphasizing a crackdown on the gangs involved in people smuggling. However, critics, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, argue that merely targeting these gangs will not suffice, as new criminals will likely emerge to fill the void. Farage has called for the UK to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and utilize the Royal Navy to return migrants directly to France. The ongoing migrant crisis is placing considerable strain on public finances, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealing that the asylum system is projected to cost an additional £6.4 billion this year. Amidst this backdrop, MP Lee Anderson has pressed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to reconsider the financial support previously extended to France for migrant patrols, questioning the effectiveness of such payments given the current situation. In response, Cooper did not address the issue of funding to France but reiterated the government's commitment to establishing a new "Border Command" and collaborating with European law enforcement to combat people smuggling.