Migrants could be moved to military sites as Starmer

ASYLUM-SEEKERS could be temporarily moved to military sites after Sir Keir Starmer told his new-look Cabinet to "go up a gear" amid rising numbers of small boat crossings in the Channel.

- NINA LLOYD and JOE HADDON

The Prime Minister has used a major reshuffle to make wide-ranging ministerial changes at the Home Office as he seeks to harden the UK Government's immigration policy, with human rights reform now also on the table.

More than 30,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far this year, after 1,097 arrived on Saturday, latest Home Office figures show.

This is up 37% on this point last year (22,028) and 37% higher than at this stage in 2023 (21,918).

Shabana Mahmood said the first migrant returns will begin "imminently" under a deal with France after Home Office figures showed small boat crossings in the Channel have passed 30,000 this year.

It is the earliest point in a calendar year at which the 30,000 mark has been passed since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.

The new Home Secretary said: "These small boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.

"Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed to France and I expect the first returns to take place imminently.