With nearly 13,000 migrants crossing the English Channel in 2024—a 40% increase on last year—Keir Starmer’s government confronts mounting political and humanitarian challenges amid calls for urgent asylum system reform and international cooperation ahead of the EU summit.
A significant challenge is unfolding in the UK regarding the rising number of migrants crossing the English Channel, an issue that has sparked fierce political criticism as the country grapples with its inadequate asylum system. The government, now led by Keir Starmer, is under intense scrutiny as record numbers of migrants—nearly 13,000 this year alone—embark on perilous journeys across the water in small boats, marking a staggering 40% increase from the previous year. This surge arises amid deteriorating conditions in refugee camps across France, highlighting the urgent need for the government to take decisive action.
The current political landscape reveals a concerning push from entities like the Refugee Council, urging the Prime Minister to secure an EU returns agreement at the upcoming summit. This proposal, which would allow the safe return of migrants who unlawfully entered the UK yet hold active asylum claims in other EU countries, is emblematic of a government that seems more interested in procedural agreements than in genuine solutions. Calls for renewed mechanisms to facilitate family reunification echo the now-abolished Dublin system, underscoring a lack of innovation in confronting the crisis.
The government’s conversations with France regarding a “one-for-one” agreement reflect a troubling attempt to manage the flow of migrants without adequately addressing the root causes. Critics are justifiably sceptical about whether this approach will reduce the influx of migrants or simply shift the burden onto the UK, producing more obligations through legal channels.
As discussions progress, Starmer emphasizes international cooperation to combat human trafficking, but this focus only serves to distract from the government’s inadequacy in addressing the immediate crisis. His acknowledgment of the need to disrupt smuggling networks is commendable, but actions speak louder than words. Previously, the Conservative government proposed contentious plans, like the ill-fated Rwanda scheme, now abandoned amid widespread outcry, illustrating the failure of political rhetoric to translate into effective policy.
Current data paints a grim picture; over 70 fatalities have already occurred in 2024 due to dangerous Channel crossings. Such tragedies intensify calls for an urgent reassessment of the UK’s border policies, particularly agreements like the 2003 Touquet Agreement, which have been criticized for effectively outsourcing border control and leaving countless individuals stranded, unable to submit claims safely.
In response to mounting challenges, the Labour government is now contemplating robust measures against human smuggling, with proposed legislation introducing severe penalties for traffickers. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questionable, especially given the complex international networks involved in trafficking operations.
As the Labour government attempts to navigate this turbulent landscape, it faces mounting pressure not just from traditional adversaries but from rising opposition parties who have gained traction in the wake of the recent election, reflecting a growing discontent with the status quo. This precarious situation demands far more than mere strategic decision-making; the country is crying out for a robust reform of an asylum system that has been neglected for too long.
In summary, the current migrant crisis epitomizes a multifaceted challenge involving flawed international agreements, humanitarian considerations, and deteriorating domestic political dynamics. The upcoming EU summit is a pivotal opportunity for the UK to reshape its approach to migration, yet the path forward is riddled with complexities and disillusionments that signal a need for substantial change—one that the people of the UK are increasingly ready to support.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2056824/Starmer-Channel-migrants-asylum-claims-Europe-EU – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://apnews.com/article/a9c8ef1b39a24cf68aac873ff45ab8b8 – UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has highlighted the lack of coordination between British police and intelligence agencies as a key factor in the surge of migrants crossing the English Channel. During an international meeting aimed at enhancing border security and combating human trafficking, Starmer expressed frustration over the challenges in halting the perilous sea crossings from France. Since his election nine months ago, his government has been addressing this persistent issue inherited from previous Conservative administrations. Over 6,600 migrants crossed the Channel in the first three months of the year, marking the highest recorded number. The Conservative opposition criticized the cancellation of the previous government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, labeling it a ‘gimmick.’ Starmer also advocated for treating human traffickers similarly to terrorist organizations and emphasized the need for international collaboration and intelligence sharing to tackle the human trafficking route. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/a9c8ef1b39a24cf68aac873ff45ab8b8?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ft.com/content/8f9d45c4-1f4d-4260-af63-033c37ead1bf – The UK government plans to introduce measures targeting people smugglers, including travel bans and social media restrictions, in response to a 25% increase in migrant arrivals via the English Channel in 2024. The new measures, part of an upcoming border security and immigration bill, will introduce interim serious crime prevention orders allowing law enforcement to immediately impose restrictions on suspected smugglers. These orders could include bans on computer and phone usage, social media access, and associations with certain individuals, with breaches punishable by up to five years in prison. The announcement follows the arrival of 36,816 migrants in 2024, up from 29,437 in 2023. The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, has focused on dismantling smuggling networks and improving cooperation with European allies, abandoning the previous Conservative government’s controversial Rwanda relocation scheme. Critics, however, argue that Labour has failed to control illegal immigration, with crossings remaining a significant issue. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/8f9d45c4-1f4d-4260-af63-033c37ead1bf?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2024/09/04/au-moins-20-644-traversees-de-migrants-dans-la-manche-depuis-janvier-2024_6304035_4355770.html – In 2024, over 26,612 individuals attempted to cross the English Channel to reach the United Kingdom from France in small boats, according to the UK’s Home Office. These crossings are extremely dangerous, as evidenced by the deaths of four migrants, including a 2-year-old child, between October 4 and 5 due to engine failures and panic aboard their overcrowded vessels. Since the beginning of the year, 51 people have lost their lives attempting this crossing. Although 2024 saw a slight decrease compared to the 29,393 crossings recorded in 2023, the number remains significant compared to the 2022 record of 45,689 migrants making the crossing despite the dangers. The crossing now occurs year-round, including during the coldest periods. ([lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2024/09/04/au-moins-20-644-traversees-de-migrants-dans-la-manche-depuis-janvier-2024_6304035_4355770.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ft.com/content/7873f568-9336-4972-a63b-0ce7527691ab – The number of people arriving in the UK by small boats increased by more than 20% this year, reaching over 35,800 from 29,400 last year. This number is still below the 2022 record of 45,750, but the increase is significant, especially following the general election on July 4. This rise will put pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has committed to cracking down on the criminal gangs facilitating these crossings. Over 150,000 migrants have entered the UK via small boats since 2018, marking it as a persistent political issue. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s efforts to curb crossings had minimal impact, and Starmer has not set specific targets for reducing these arrivals yet. In contrast, Italy has seen a reduction in such crossings due to agreements with North African countries. The primary countries of origin for these migrants are Afghanistan and Vietnam, the latter seeing a significant surge. The UK government continues to focus on dismantling smuggling networks. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/7873f568-9336-4972-a63b-0ce7527691ab?utm_source=openai))
- https://apnews.com/article/c2d38b5c9a4be09ad383871318808f12 – The UK government plans to impose sanctions on members of people-smuggling gangs who send migrants across the English Channel in precarious boats, aiming to halt these dangerous journeys. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that travel bans and asset freezes will target ‘illicit financial rings that enable traffickers to exploit vulnerable people.’ The sanctions, which require parliamentary approval, are set to take effect within a year. Despite this, the effectiveness of the measures is uncertain, as UK authorities can only freeze assets within the UK, and many traffickers are based elsewhere. Foreign Secretary David Lammy indicated that the UK will be the first country to develop specific legislation to sanction irregular immigration and organized crime. In 2024, over 38,000 people crossed the Channel, a 25% increase from the previous year, though fewer than in 2022. More than 70 people died in 2024 during crossing attempts. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/c2d38b5c9a4be09ad383871318808f12?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2024/09/05/breaking-the-deadly-cycle-of-shipwrecks-in-the-channel_6724908_23.html – The tragic deaths of at least 12 migrants trying to cross the English Channel on September 3 underscore the urgent need to reassess the French-British border policy, which currently focuses solely on security and smuggling prevention. The 2003 Touquet Agreement has resulted in French law enforcement patrolling the UK’s borders, preventing asylum applications, thereby pushing migrants towards dangerous sea crossings. This situation has worsened over the years, with over 21,000 crossings in 2024 alone and more than 40 deaths already this year. The French Interior Minister has called for a migration treaty between the UK and the EU, emphasizing the need to allow asylum applications at the border and create legal migration routes. This proposal aims to prevent further human tragedies and requires urgent collaboration between France and the UK. ([lemonde.fr](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2024/09/05/breaking-the-deadly-cycle-of-shipwrecks-in-the-channel_6724908_23.html?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative mentions a current government led by Keir Starmer, who is indeed the leader of the Labour Party. However, without specific details on the date of the article, it’s difficult to assess its freshness fully. The context suggests recent events, but without explicit dates, the novelty is somewhat uncertain.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative. This absence suggests that the piece either does not rely on spoken or written statements or that the quotes are potentially original if they were to be included.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK publication known for its tabloid style and conservative leaning. While it is not considered a least biased source, it is widely read and has a established reputation.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the migrant crisis and asylum system issues in the UK are plausible and align with recent political discussions. The narrative’s focus on international cooperation and the push for policy changes reflects ongoing challenges in the UK’s immigration policies.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible account of the UK’s migrant crisis, but its freshness is somewhat uncertain due to a lack of specific dates. The absence of direct quotes and the reliability of the source are mixed factors, leading to an overall medium confidence in the narrative’s validity.
