We have got to get a grip.We need a deterrent...that's why Rwanda is so important

IN HIS strongest attack on illegal migration yet, Rishi Sunak has hit out at the "completely ridiculous" breach of the UK's borders by small boats.

- Sam Lister 

The Prime Minister said it is unfair illegal migrants are jumping the queue and putting unsustainable pressure on overstretched public services. But Mr Sunak vowed he is "going to do everything I can" to get flights in the air to Rwanda to stop the channel crossings for good.

The PM invited Daily Express readers into No10 so he could hear directly about the issues that matter most to them and was told illegal migration is a big concern.

Mr Sunak insisted his plan to cut numbers is working and crossings have already dropped by a third. He said: "That's never happened before because all we've had with small boats is numbers have gone up and up and up.

"But I really have attacked this problem because the situation is completely ridiculous.

"It's completely unfair people are jumping the queue, breaking the system and putting unsustainable pressure on public services.

"I bet all of you in your communities, I certainly do at home in North Yorkshire, have a hotel in our town that's been taken over because we need to house illegal migrants. That's clearly not right and it costs a fortune, millions of pounds a day.

"So for all these reasons we have got to grip it."

Mr Sunak told our panel that the deal to return Albanians to their home country, the increased cooperation with France and work to break the crime gangs all mean "we are making progress".

He added: "But in order to fully solve this problem, what we need is a deterrent.