Keir Starmer sets out Labour's small boats plan in 2024
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Keir Starmer has admitted the British people are "right" to be angry over the scale of illegal immigration.
The Prime Minister admitted he knows people are sceptical about his plans, but insisted he can end the Channel migrant crisis.
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He will defend his plan to stop small boat crossings after a record number of arrivals in the first three months.
The Prime Minister will open an Organised Immigration Crime summit in London today, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also set to speak.
More than 6,600 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, up 31% on last year.
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He wrote in a national newspaper column: "I opposed the Tories' Rwanda scheme not just because it was a gimmick designed to sound tough and get headlines. But because it was a hollow pledge to working people which had no prospect of ever being fulfilled. A slogan isn't a solution. Instead, it undermines trust in mainstream politics as a force for good.
"I know some of you will read this with scepticism and assume that nothing can or will be done. I am determined to prove the opposite.
"I accept my approach is not glamorous but it's how I do business: sleeves rolled up, getting the details right, doing the hard graft.
"We're pulling every possible lever, from the supply chain for small boats to illicit finance and social media – with Meta, X and TikTok all joining the summit today. Already our new approach is delivering results.
"France has said it wants to change its rules so law enforcement officers can deal with small boats in shallow waters.
"Germany will strengthen its laws against those who facilitate smuggling to the UK, so we can break into warehouses storing boat parts. A joint taskforce with Italy is hitting smugglers' finances. This collaborative approach is transforming border security at home. We inherited the most extraordinary disconnect between policing, our Border Force and our intelligence agencies. I was shocked."
Keir Starmer will address the Organised Immigration Crime summit (Image: Getty)
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7 hours ago09:28 Michael Knowles
Illegal migration is driving down wages
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted Britain's illegal migration crisis is driving down wages.
He also says smugglers are pushing "poisonous narratives" of a better life.
But the reality, Sir Keir said, is "exploitation".
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7 hours ago09:25 Michael Knowles
Smugglers only care about money
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insists people smugglers only care about making vast profits.
Government insiders believe the crime gangs rake in hundreds of millions every year.
Sir Keir insists the boats are so dangerous people wouldn't allow their children to climb into a boat, even in shallow waters.
The Prime Minister compared the boats to cars.
They'd be taken off the road in minutes, by the police, he says.
7 hours ago09:23 Michael Knowles
We've deported over 24,000 people
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK has deported over 24,000 migrants since Labour came into office.
The Prime Minister claims this would have taken 80 years, under the Rwanda scheme.
He says it is the highest return rate for eight years.
Sir Keir also bragged of the "biggest return flight ever".
7 hours ago09:21 Michael Knowles
We must take tough measures in our own country
Sir Keir says Border Force will be able to seize migrants' phones to garner crucial intelligence to destroy the smuggling networks.
He says Labour is "creating an elite Border Force, working with our international partners".
The Prime Minister said the new powers will allow UK authorities to intervene before smugglers try to launch a boat.
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7 hours ago09:19 Michael Knowles
Plan is making a difference, PM insists
Sir Keir said there have been a series of major arrests in France and Amsterdam, leading to engines and boats being seized.
He adds: "There's nothing progressive about allowing working age people to come here, instead of supporting them to build their own economies, secure a better future for their own countries and build a safer, more prosperous World."
7 hours ago09:17 Michael Knowles
PM highlights ludicrous situation in Germany
Sir Keir told how it was not illegal to facilitate illegal migration to countries outside of the EU.
But Berlin has changed the law, he said.
This will allow German prosecutors to go after smuggling networks storing equipment just hours from the French coast.
7 hours ago09:16 Michael Knowles
PM: Let's treat illegal immigration the same
PM: "I believe we should organise immigration crime in exactly the same way.
"I simply don't believe that organised immigration crime cannot be tackled.
"We've got to combine our resources, intelligence and tactics."
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7 hours ago09:14 Michael Knowles
Sir Keir: Nothing progressive about failing to tackle illegal migration
He says: "We've got to bring to bear all the powers we have at our disposal, in much the same way that we do against terrorism."
7 hours ago09:12 Michael Knowles
PM: I'm delighted to welcome 40 countries here
Sir Keir says he remembers his first trip to Calais, where he saw children as young as five "in freezing temperatures, with almost nothing to keep them warm".
7 hours ago09:11 Michael Knowles
Sir Keir: Crisis makes me angry
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admits the migrant crisis "makes people angry", adding it is "unfair".
Sir Keir said it is unfair on taxpayers "who pay the price for the cost of hotels, for public services struggling under the strain and it's unfair on illegal migrants themselves, because these vulnerable people are being ruthlessly exploited."
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7 hours ago09:09 Michael Knowles
The Prime Minister arrives
Sir Keir Starmer begins his speech by referencing previous summits at Lancaster House, and talks on Ukraine's future.
He links it to the importance of international partnerships tackling global problems.
8 hours ago09:03 Michael Knowles
Tories go on the attack ahead of Organised Immigration Crime Summit
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “The government’s plan to ‘smash the gangs’ already lies in tatters.
"We are about to see 30,000 illegal channel crossings since election reached this week, a 31% increase.
"This year so far has been the worst on record. This is a direct consequence of the government cancelling the Rwanda deterrent before it even started.
“Other countries, including Germany, Italy and the even the European Commission are looking at offshore processing as a deterrent, but Starmer’s Labour government has gone in the opposite direction. He has lost control of our borders as a result.
“Today’s conference will make no difference to that – as the NCA themselves said, law enforcement alone cannot stop illegal immigration.
"You need a removals deterrent.
"And Yvette Cooper admitted yesterday that the government is simply crossing its fingers and praying for bad weather to stop illegal migration across the channel. That is not a plan.”
8 hours ago08:56 Michael Knowles
When will the boats stop?
Border Security Minister Angela Eagle told LBC this morning: "Nobody is happy with the numbers, but I think you have to remember that there are no magic wands and easy switches here.
"You have to do basic operational police work.
"These gangs were allowed to form and take hold for six years. We have been in government for eight months.
"We're just getting legislation on the statute book so that we can deal with some of the preventative stuff.
"We're reaching out to colleagues in other jurisdictions so that we can cooperate cross borders.
"We've made arrests of people smuggling gang members across Europe.
"We are interdicting some of the supplies of boats, which is why more people per boat is now happening.
"The numbers of boats coming across are very similar, it's just there are more people on them.
"We're dealing with our French colleagues. They're going to set up a new elite police force in the northern beaches. That's going to happen a bit later this year."
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8 hours ago08:50 Michael Knowles
More from Sir Keir
"We're imposing sanctions that treat smugglers like terrorists.
"We've ramped up raids on illegal working and today we're setting out plans to close a loophole that allowed businesses to avoid checks on those in short-term or zero-hours roles – so that Britain is no longer a soft touch for illegal working.
"Me reeling off a list of actions isn't what the British people are looking for. I know that. People want to know we will give them security – in their jobs, in their streets, in the promise of opportunities for their kids. I can promise we will.
"It isn't gimmicks – or more populism – that will solve this problem. It is practical government. That is the change this Labour Government brings.
"That's how we will smash the gangs, secure our borders and restore your faith in the ability of mainstream politics to deliver for you."
8 hours ago08:40 Michael Knowles
The list of countries attending today
Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Council of Europe, Croatia, Czech Republic, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kurdish Regional Government, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Estonia, Portugal, Vietnam, UNODC, USA.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes Ireland's Minister of Justice, Jim (Image: Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes the Minister of the Interior of th (Image: Getty Images)
8 hours ago08:36 Michael Knowles
Delegates arrive at the Organised Crime Summit
Representatives from more than 40 countries are expected today.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes guests to the Summit (Image: PA)
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes Portugal's Minister of Home Affairs, Margarida Blasco, to the (Image: PA)
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8 hours ago08:34 Michael Knowles
Government asks for time to end small boat crossings
Dame Angela Eagle told Sky News that the Government needs "time" to dismantle people smuggling gangs.
Speaking to Sky News, the border security and asylum minister was asked whether she was disappointed in the number of crossings.
She said: "Of course, we're disappointed. Some of that is about having more people per boat, which is also more dangerous and more reckless.
"But what we've got to do - we've been in government for eight months - these people smuggling gangs have been allowed to establish themselves across the Channel and be very sophisticated with their global networks for six years. We are going to dismantle them by working with other people cross-jurisdiction, operationally too."
"But we need time to do that, and we need to have events like this so that we can co-operate together to increase our effectiveness," she added, pointing to the Government's summit opening on Monday.
8 hours ago08:30 Michael Knowles
Sentencing Council row intensifies
The other big story today is the row over "two-tier justice".
Judges are being told to consider an offender’s racial, cultural and religious background when deciding whether to impose a custodial or community sentence.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the Sentencing Council to reverse the plans.
But the quango on Friday defended the plans and rejected calls to change the guidelines, meaning they will come in on April 1, setting up a showdown between ministers and judges.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told Times Radio: "I think you do want to have guidelines provided to judges and magistrates so that there is a very high degree of consistency across the country in the way in which sentences are passed down.
"And so it's right that they provide guidance and that they keep that under continuous review.
"It is also important, however, that there is a degree of ministerial oversight over that.
"So if they stray into policy and political decisions of great importance to the justice system, as has happened in this case, ministers such as the Justice Secretary can intervene."
8 hours ago08:17 Michael Knowles
More efforts to hunt smugglers
Officials last night confirmed a ￡33million funding boost to secure more prosecutions along the smuggling routes to the French coast.
British prosecutors will be expected to forge closer ties with allies to lock up more migrant smugglers across the continent.
The organised crime gangs are raking in hundreds of millions every year, insiders believe.
Government officials say the Organised Immigration Crime summit will be an opportunity to expand “the follow the money strategy globally”.
Migrants and smugglers use an ancient payment system known as “Hawala”.
This sees a third party pay a ‘handler’ in the migrants’ home country. This money is then held until the migrant arrives safely at their destination.
The smuggler can collect his money from another handler in the country where he is operating. No physical money is ever transferred under this system.
But it effectively means criminals can move their profits across continents almost as quickly as regular bank transfers – without the scrutiny.
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9 hours ago08:06 Michael Knowles
Migration is top of the political agenda today
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will use a two-day organised immigration crime summit to push for more international co-operation on tackling supply routes, criminal finances and online adverts for dangerous journeys.
More than 40 countries are expected to attend, including the US, Vietnam, France and Iraq. Representatives from social media giants X, Meta and TikTok are also expected to attend.
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9 hours ago07:57 Michael Knowles
Labour blame the weather for Channel migrant surge
Home Secretary Ms Cooper said the UK’s border security is currently "dependent on the weather".
Officials believe there have been far more “red days” – when crossings are considered likely because conditions are calmer – than in previous years.
This has allowed smugglers that have “taken a deep hold along the English Channel" to launch more boats packed with dozens of asylum seekers.
More than 6,600 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, up 31% on last year.