OPINION
Rachel Reeves could have a huge impact on the small boat crisis with one simple step (Image: DX)
When it comes to tackling the migration crisis in the English Channel, the focus tends to be on expensive enforcement. It’s well-established that Britain pays France close to half a billion pounds to boost border security, but that’s only a small chunk of the whopping ￡5.4 billion spent on asylum support, resettlement, and accommodation each year. A repeated criticism is that when small boats arrive in Dover, they often contain people seeking to earn money rather than flee persecution. I myself have spoken to a small boat migrant who came to Britain with five friends for that reason.
He’d even written on the form handed to him by the Home Office on arrival that he’d come here for economic reasons before fleeing the hotel he was housed in. Identifying those motivated by money is not always as easy as that, especially if they don’t say that’s why they’ve come. But one easy change Rachel Reeves could make that would massively help is to impose heavy taxes on the cash flowing out of the country from migrants.
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
Start Now
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
WATCH: Migrant dinghy crosses the Channel as arrivals under Labour surge past 50,000
Labour sends cost of dying soaring as average cremation hits ￡1,000 for first time
Top cashless woes: parking, tipping, and trolley pound coins
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar
Little-known tax rule means you will get big HMRC bill if you have this many children
Nightmare for Rachel Reeves as Labour's taxes see super rich flee Britain for Monaco
Rachel Reeves faces new tax headache - problem is 'worst it's been for three years'
Rachel Reeves deals another blow to pensioners in council tax discount update
Labour has stopped doing one thing - it's bleak clue as to where UK is heading
Moment fuming GB News presenter tears apart 'stupid' Keir Starmer with just one line
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out tax hikes after ￡50bn black hole exposed
Only one tax will help Rachel Reeves plug her Budget black hole - but it will destroy her
Rachel Reeves 'pulls rug' from UK's historic churches by slashing vital funding
Savings provider offers 4.45% interest on Cash ISA and earns 'excellent' rating
This Special Salt Can Burn Fat Cells While You Are EatingWeightLossQuick |
Watch Now
Undo
Taxpayers foot the bill as small boat migrants enjoy free days out including dinghy ride
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
Thousands of Women Love This Calfskin Leather Crossbody BagBestbestones |
Shop Now
Undo
The top 10 best countries for Brits to retire ranked - Spain only at number 7
A storm is blowing in from Trump's America and it could sweep Rachel Reeves away
Trends shaping the construction industry.Shopper Experts |
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves leaves businesses 'paralysed by fear' with new barriers to growth
World famous tourist hotspot 'going under' as economic chaos sparks horror predictions
Gold Mill Nearing Restart After $20M OverhaulCapital Trends |
Learn More
Undo
WATCH: Migrant dinghy crosses the Channel as arrivals under Labour surge past 50,000
Labour sends cost of dying soaring as average cremation hits ￡1,000 for first time
These Are The Rolls-Royce Of Hearing Aids (And Under $100)Hear True |
Learn More
Undo
Top cashless woes: parking, tipping, and trolley pound coins
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar
CVS Hides This $1 Generic Viagra - Here’s the Aisle It's Really In.Friday Plans |
Learn More
Undo
Little-known tax rule means you will get big HMRC bill if you have this many children
Nightmare for Rachel Reeves as Labour's taxes see super rich flee Britain for Monaco
Neuropathy is not from Low Vitamin B. Meet the Real Enemy of Neuropathy (Stop Doing This)FootRenew |
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves faces new tax headache - problem is 'worst it's been for three years'
Rachel Reeves deals another blow to pensioners in council tax discount update
Top Vet Begs American Dog Owners: "Please Stop Doing This With Older Dogs"Dr. Marty |
Click Here
Undo
Labour has stopped doing one thing - it's bleak clue as to where UK is heading
Moment fuming GB News presenter tears apart 'stupid' Keir Starmer with just one line
Hollywood Actress Leaks Weight Loss Trick, Gets Fired!Health & Family |
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out tax hikes after ￡50bn black hole exposed
Only one tax will help Rachel Reeves plug her Budget black hole - but it will destroy her
This Skull Mug Is Being Snapped up in Ashburntopchicdeals |
Read More
Undo
Rachel Reeves 'pulls rug' from UK's historic churches by slashing vital funding
Savings provider offers 4.45% interest on Cash ISA and earns 'excellent' rating
Taxpayers foot the bill as small boat migrants enjoy free days out including dinghy ride
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
The top 10 best countries for Brits to retire ranked - Spain only at number 7
A storm is blowing in from Trump's America and it could sweep Rachel Reeves away
Rachel Reeves leaves businesses 'paralysed by fear' with new barriers to growth
World famous tourist hotspot 'going under' as economic chaos sparks horror predictions
WATCH: Migrant dinghy crosses the Channel as arrivals under Labour surge past 50,000
Labour sends cost of dying soaring as average cremation hits ￡1,000 for first time
Top cashless woes: parking, tipping, and trolley pound coins
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar
Little-known tax rule means you will get big HMRC bill if you have this many children
Nightmare for Rachel Reeves as Labour's taxes see super rich flee Britain for Monaco
Rachel Reeves faces new tax headache - problem is 'worst it's been for three years'
READ MORE: Migration fury erupts in UK city over plans for male-only asylum hotel
Express discuss how the small boat crisis could be solved
0 seconds of 48 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard ShortcutsEnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ?
Play/PauseSPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Offc
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf
Mute/Unmutem
Decrease Caption Size-
Increase Caption Size+ or =
Seek %0-9
Next Up
Clive Owen makes sad admission on Our Farm Next Door
00:33
x facebook Email
Linkhttps://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/mZiGlBbc
Copied
Auto360p1080p720p540p360p270p180p
Live
00:11
00:36
00:48
More Videos
00:33
Clive Owen makes sad admission on Our Farm Next Door
00:57
Prince Harry and King Charles' feud explained
02:04
GB News: Dawn Neesom takes aim at Keir Starmer
01:10
Mike Graham fumes about where migrants are being detained
01:11
Migrants: 696 cross Channel in a day in record high for 2022
01:00
Dr Sara discusses the benefits of eating broccoli
Close
Get the latest politics news straight to your phone Join us on WhatsAppOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The last official estimate showed the amount of money sent through remittances from the UK to countries of origin each year totals ￡9.3 billion (2023), the World Bank estimates that in real terms the figure is three times higher.
Slapping a large tax on money that leaves the UK, through services like Western Union or Remitly, would have two likely outcomes.
It would discourage people from taking dangerous journeys to come to Britain for the purposes of making money. If you know that half of what you earn goes into the taxman’s pocket, you’ll reconsider coming to Britain.
Sponsored
Learn More
1 Teaspoon Before Bed Burns Body Fat - You Will Fit Into Your Clothes Again
Undo
Those unperturbed by having to pay this fee will swell the treasury's coffers, potentially covering the expenses related to enforcement or, at a minimum, freeing up cash to spend on the NHS or some other underfunded area.
Of course, I should add that this only works if you crack down heavily on black market work and punish any company benefiting from illegal workers with draconian punishments.
There are many things in this country that would help weed out economic migrants (Image: Getty)
My personal suggestion is that the senior management of any business found to have been employing those who don’t have the right to work in Britain be held criminally liable.
I’d take a top-down approach to avoid the blame being lumped on small subcontractors by the big companies that benefit but might not directly hire illegal workers.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
WATCH: Migrant dinghy crosses the Channel as arrivals under Labour surge past 50,000
Labour sends cost of dying soaring as average cremation hits ￡1,000 for first time
Top cashless woes: parking, tipping, and trolley pound coins
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar
Little-known tax rule means you will get big HMRC bill if you have this many children
Nightmare for Rachel Reeves as Labour's taxes see super rich flee Britain for Monaco
Rachel Reeves faces new tax headache - problem is 'worst it's been for three years'
Rachel Reeves deals another blow to pensioners in council tax discount update
Labour has stopped doing one thing - it's bleak clue as to where UK is heading
Moment fuming GB News presenter tears apart 'stupid' Keir Starmer with just one line
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out tax hikes after ￡50bn black hole exposed
Only one tax will help Rachel Reeves plug her Budget black hole - but it will destroy her
Rachel Reeves 'pulls rug' from UK's historic churches by slashing vital funding
Savings provider offers 4.45% interest on Cash ISA and earns 'excellent' rating
Flight Attendant Reveals How Seniors Can Fly Business Class For the Price Of EconomyAirlines |
Undo
Taxpayers foot the bill as small boat migrants enjoy free days out including dinghy ride
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
Man Divorces Wife Over Black Kids—10 Years Later, the Truth Shocks Him!Finance Nemo |
Read More
Undo
The top 10 best countries for Brits to retire ranked - Spain only at number 7
A storm is blowing in from Trump's America and it could sweep Rachel Reeves away
5-Min Quiz: What Does Your Body Actually Need To Lose Weight?Noom |
Go To Quiz
Undo
Rachel Reeves leaves businesses 'paralysed by fear' with new barriers to growth
World famous tourist hotspot 'going under' as economic chaos sparks horror predictions
How Memory Foam, Latex, and Innerspring Mattresses Compare — Find Out NowQuestionHero |
Learn More
Undo
WATCH: Migrant dinghy crosses the Channel as arrivals under Labour surge past 50,000
Labour sends cost of dying soaring as average cremation hits ￡1,000 for first time
Discover Baby Carriers in Ashburn (Learn More)New Born Baby Carrier |
Search Now
Undo
Top cashless woes: parking, tipping, and trolley pound coins
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar
Fashion Alert: Women's Lapel ShirtZekear Zephyra Shirt |
Shop Now
Undo
Little-known tax rule means you will get big HMRC bill if you have this many children
Nightmare for Rachel Reeves as Labour's taxes see super rich flee Britain for Monaco
Why Walgreens Hides This Cheap 87￠ Generic CialisFriday Plans |
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves faces new tax headache - problem is 'worst it's been for three years'
Rachel Reeves deals another blow to pensioners in council tax discount update
2 Insane Cards Now Charging 0% Intro APR Until Nearly 2027CompareCredit |
Undo
Labour has stopped doing one thing - it's bleak clue as to where UK is heading
Moment fuming GB News presenter tears apart 'stupid' Keir Starmer with just one line
Are High-End Strollers Just a Fad? We Investigated.Luxury Baby Stroller |
Undo
Keir Starmer refuses to rule out tax hikes after ￡50bn black hole exposed
Only one tax will help Rachel Reeves plug her Budget black hole - but it will destroy her
Here's The Estimated Cost of a 1-day Gutter Guards InstallationHomeBuddy |
Click Here
Undo
Rachel Reeves 'pulls rug' from UK's historic churches by slashing vital funding
Savings provider offers 4.45% interest on Cash ISA and earns 'excellent' rating
Taxpayers foot the bill as small boat migrants enjoy free days out including dinghy ride
Reform and Labour at war over nation's water crisis
The top 10 best countries for Brits to retire ranked - Spain only at number 7
A storm is blowing in from Trump's America and it could sweep Rachel Reeves away
Rachel Reeves leaves businesses 'paralysed by fear' with new barriers to growth
World famous tourist hotspot 'going under' as economic chaos sparks horror predictions
WATCH: Migrant dinghy crosses the Channel as arrivals under Labour surge past 50,000
Labour sends cost of dying soaring as average cremation hits ￡1,000 for first time
Top cashless woes: parking, tipping, and trolley pound coins
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar
Little-known tax rule means you will get big HMRC bill if you have this many children
Nightmare for Rachel Reeves as Labour's taxes see super rich flee Britain for Monaco
Rachel Reeves faces new tax headache - problem is 'worst it's been for three years'
Here's Why This 1 Day Garage Floor Coating Is Sweeping VirginiaGarage Flooring USA
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Virginia: Huge Home Insurance Reduction For Those Over 49 Yrs OldSmart Lifestyle Trends
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This Common Thing.Memory Health
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Choking Deaths Up 37%. Doctors Say Every Home Needs This DeviceHeroic Daily
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
So, for example, if it was discovered that a building site was filled with labourers who didn’t have the right to work, the agency that'd hired them wouldn’t be facing jail; it would be the developers' directors behind bars.
Guilty firms would have to pay massive fines, which would fund a whistleblower scheme that offered ￡500 for every proved illegal worker, in addition to legal immunity.
There is an old journalistic expression about ‘following the money’ if you really want to find out who benefits from a scandal. Well, my advice to Rachel Reeves is: follow the money then hit them in the pocket.
Read Next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy