Starmer's plans 'won't stop small boats this year'

KEIR Starmer's efforts to tackle illegal migration will make no impact on the number of small-boat crossings this year, ministers have been warned.

- By Martyn Brown Political Editor

The Prime Minister has put “smashing the gangs” that drive the illegal trade at the centre of his plan to tackle the crisis.

Yet numbers continue to surge, despite warnings that the problem cannot be dealt with by law enforcement alone.

Border officials are being given new powers and resources while international efforts to tackle crime gangs have been stepped up.

However, arrivals this year are approaching 13,000 — an increase of 40% on 2024.

More than 600 crossed on Monday while the PM was giving a major speech promising a crackdown on immigration.

Migration is seen as a major reason why Labour lost the recent Runcorn and Helsby by-election to Reform UK.

Problem

But one official said the problem was “not going to get solved quickly”. Others say there is unlikely to be any drop in the number of crossings until 2026 at the earliest. Ministers blame the rise in crossings on this year’s fine weather.