In a recent statement, Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to lead a “global crackdown” on illegal migration, promising action against the gangs responsible for people-smuggling.
As more than 40 countries gathered in London for a summit on this very issue, Starmer’s words sounded bold.
But can we truly rely on his plans to address the growing crisis? Critics, including those within the migration policy arena, are skeptical.
While Starmer has spent years championing human rights as a lawyer, some argue that his background may not give him the tools necessary to tackle this complex problem.
The ongoing crisis has put immense pressure on Britain’s borders, its finances, and its values of fairness and tolerance.
Slogans and grand pledges, however, do not seem to be enough to stem the tide of illegal migration that continues to escalate.
Alarming Increase in Illegal Crossings
The UK has seen a sharp rise in illegal migration this year, particularly across the English Channel.
Over the past three months, more than 6,000 people, mostly young men of military age, have made the dangerous crossing in flimsy boats.
This marks a 30% increase compared to the same period in 2022, when over 45,000 migrants crossed the Channel illegally.
Many of these migrants claim asylum upon arrival, gaining access to generous handouts funded by taxpayers.
If current trends continue, experts from Migration Watch estimate that more than 60,000 migrants could illegally cross into the UK by boat this year.
And this estimate doesn’t even account for those arriving by other means, like hidden in vehicles or through clandestine routes.
The sheer scale of this influx has led to thousands being housed in taxpayer-funded accommodations, at a cost of approximately £8 million a day.
Unacceptable Costs to the UK
By the end of 2024, over 112,000 people were receiving free housing and support from the UK government.
The numbers have steadily risen under the current government, with nearly 38,000 migrants staying in hotels by Christmas.
The cost to the taxpayer is enormous, nearing £3 billion annually, enough to cover the salaries of over 85,000 nurses.
Meanwhile, asylum claims continue to rise, yet only a small percentage of claimants are actually deported.
Despite the severity of the situation, the UK government has yet to take decisive action to remove migrants who have arrived illegally, especially those who crossed the Channel by boat.
The failure to deport these individuals has led to a thriving people-smuggling industry, with criminal gangs profiting from extorting migrants and promising them entry into the UK, knowing that their chances of being removed are slim to none.
Starmer’s ‘Smashing the Gangs’ Promise Falls Flat
In the face of growing criticism, Starmer has promised to “smash the gangs” that profit from human trafficking.
However, his government’s actions so far have sent the opposite message.
Shortly after taking office, Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper abandoned the previous government’s controversial plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda for processing.
While the Rwanda plan had its flaws, it did provide a deterrent effect, one that the current government has yet to replace with any viable solution.
Recent talks about setting up overseas processing centers or “return hubs” in countries like the Balkans have been met with skepticism.
Without significant reforms to human rights legislation, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), many doubt that these proposals will ever materialize.
The Realities of Immigration Control in the UK
The government’s half-hearted efforts to tackle illegal migration are further exposed by the continuous misuse of the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly Article 8, which protects the right to family life.
This provision has been exploited by foreign criminals to avoid deportation, despite posing a risk to public safety.
The challenge lies in the government’s reluctance to address the core issue: the current legal framework, shaped by human rights laws, allows many who arrive illegally to stay in the UK indefinitely.
Even though some politicians have suggested that the UK should leave the ECHR, Prime Minister Starmer and his Home Secretary have ruled out any such moves, fearing political fallout.
A Call for Stronger Action and National Sovereignty
Former diplomat Alp Mehmet argues that the current system has failed.
He believes that the treaties and conventions which once served a noble purpose are now outdated and no longer protect the UK’s national interests.
While international cooperation is crucial, the reality is that no one will solve Britain’s immigration challenges but Britain itself.
Tough, national measures are needed to regain control over borders and curb illegal immigration.
Until Britain sends a clear message that it will no longer tolerate illegal migration or the smuggling gangs that make it possible, the flow of migrants is unlikely to stop.
As long as people around the world see the UK as a land of opportunity, they will continue to risk everything to enter the country.
And as long as criminal gangs know there is little risk of removal for their customers, they will keep profiting from their illegal operations.
In the end, the question remains: Can Keir Starmer deliver on his promises to tackle illegal immigration, or is the UK facing a future of continued chaos at its borders?