Migrant Crossings Rise: A Challenge for the UK Under Starmer

[Social Media]

 

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats rose significantly in 2024, marking the second-highest annual total on record. According to Home Office statistics, 36,816 individuals made the perilous journey, a 25 percent increase from 2023. The surge intensified after Sir Keir Starmer assumed office in July, with arrivals rising by 29 percent during his tenure compared to the same period in 2023.  

 

This marked a sharp contrast with the smaller increase under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier in the year, when crossings grew by 19 percent. While Sunak's tenure saw incremental growth, Starmer’s period in office coincided with a dramatic escalation, drawing criticism from opposition parties. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the rise as evidence that Labour had "totally failed on illegal immigration by small boat," adding, "Over three times more illegal immigrants crossed in December compared to last year – an insult to the British people. Labour has lost control of our borders."  

 

Reform Party deputy leader Richard Tice echoed these sentiments, stating, "Far from smashing the gangs, it’s only getting worse under Labour. Labour needs to start putting British people first and not allowing our borders to be at the whim of the weather."

 

The year’s data underscores the continuing challenge posed by small boat crossings. Only 2022 surpassed 2024 in the number of arrivals, with a record 45,774 migrants that year. Before this surge, the numbers were comparatively low, with just 299 crossings recorded in 2018 and 1,843 in 2019. However, as the issue gained prominence, the figures climbed steadily to 8,466 in 2020 and 28,526 in 2021.  

 

The primary nationalities of migrants reflected ongoing global crises. Afghan nationals accounted for the largest group, representing 17 percent of arrivals in the first nine months of 2024. They were followed by individuals from Vietnam (13 percent), Iran (12 percent), and Syria (12 percent).  

 

The Starmer administration’s approach diverged sharply from that of the preceding Conservative government. One of Starmer’s first actions as Prime Minister was to scrap the controversial Rwanda deportation plan, which he declared "dead and buried." Instead, Labour shifted focus to dismantling smuggling networks and enhancing international cooperation. "If the boats and the engines aren’t available, it obviously makes it much more difficult for these crossings to be made," Starmer remarked, emphasizing the importance of targeting the infrastructure behind the crossings.  

 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored the government’s moral responsibility to address the issue, stating the need to "go after" smuggling gangs. However, she declined to set a specific deadline for reducing arrivals and appeared to dismiss the idea of expanding safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.  

 

The final days of 2024 highlighted the unpredictable nature of the crisis. While blustery weather conditions halted crossings on December 30 and 31, 291 individuals successfully reached the UK on December 29 in six small boats. The year’s events illustrate the complexity of managing migration and the challenges of balancing domestic expectations with humanitarian obligations.  

 

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-03

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

The government failing on it's number 1 priority of protecting the borders. If a country can't protect it's borders it will soon cease to be a country.

[Chomper Higgot]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

The primary nationalities of migrants reflected ongoing global crises. Afghan nationals accounted for the largest group, representing 17 percent of arrivals in the first nine months of 2024. They were followed by individuals from Vietnam (13 percent), Iran (12 percent), and Syria (12 percent).  

The Government have already suspended Asylum claims by Syrians.

 

 

[JonnyF]

More lies from Starmer. 

 

We all know what Labour really think because they told us.

 

[mokwit]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored the government’s moral responsibility to address the issue, stating the need to "go after" smuggling gangs. However, she declined to set a specific deadline for reducing arrivals and appeared to dismiss the idea of expanding safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.  

She's deliberately not setting any kind of standard by which her performance can be measured by.

 

What is she doing to stop the boats arriving TODAY?

 

Same with her pledge to reduce violence against women within TEN YEARS against a parliament life of four years. She should be acting to stamp it out NOW, TODAY.

 

Setting things up so she can never be accused of failure.

 

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats rose significantly in 2024, marking the second-highest annual total on record. According to Home Office statistics, 36,816 individuals made the perilous journey, a 25 percent increase from 2023. The surge intensified after Sir Keir Starmer assumed office in July, with arrivals rising by 29 percent during his tenure compared to the same period in 2023.  

 

This marked a sharp contrast with the smaller increase under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier in the year, when crossings grew by 19 percent. While Sunak's tenure saw incremental growth, Starmer’s period in office coincided with a dramatic escalation, drawing criticism from opposition parties. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the rise as evidence that Labour had "totally failed on illegal immigration by small boat," adding, "Over three times more illegal immigrants crossed in December compared to last year – an insult to the British people. Labour has lost control of our borders."  

 

Reform Party deputy leader Richard Tice echoed these sentiments, stating, "Far from smashing the gangs, it’s only getting worse under Labour. Labour needs to start putting British people first and not allowing our borders to be at the whim of the weather."

 

 

The year’s data underscores the continuing challenge posed by small boat crossings. Only 2022 surpassed 2024 in the number of arrivals, with a record 45,774 migrants that year. Before this surge, the numbers were comparatively low, with just 299 crossings recorded in 2018 and 1,843 in 2019. However, as the issue gained prominence, the figures climbed steadily to 8,466 in 2020 and 28,526 in 2021.  

 

The primary nationalities of migrants reflected ongoing global crises. Afghan nationals accounted for the largest group, representing 17 percent of arrivals in the first nine months of 2024. They were followed by individuals from Vietnam (13 percent), Iran (12 percent), and Syria (12 percent).  

 

The Starmer administration’s approach diverged sharply from that of the preceding Conservative government. One of Starmer’s first actions as Prime Minister was to scrap the controversial Rwanda deportation plan, which he declared "dead and buried." Instead, Labour shifted focus to dismantling smuggling networks and enhancing international cooperation. "If the boats and the engines aren’t available, it obviously makes it much more difficult for these crossings to be made," Starmer remarked, emphasizing the importance of targeting the infrastructure behind the crossings.  

 

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper underscored the government’s moral responsibility to address the issue, stating the need to "go after" smuggling gangs. However, she declined to set a specific deadline for reducing arrivals and appeared to dismiss the idea of expanding safe and legal routes for asylum seekers.  

 

The final days of 2024 highlighted the unpredictable nature of the crisis. While blustery weather conditions halted crossings on December 30 and 31, 291 individuals successfully reached the UK on December 29 in six small boats. The year’s events illustrate the complexity of managing migration and the challenges of balancing domestic expectations with humanitarian obligations.  

 

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-01-03

 

 

Yeah, sure there is a connection between Labour and immigrants. Probably someone in Sudan got information of a new govt in UK. Starmer now is famous to let them all in???

What a BS. Ask the refugees/immigrants why they're coming  instead of blowing hot air in to the foggy skys of London.

[Red Forever]

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The government failing on it's number 1 priority of protecting the borders. If a country can't protect it's borders it will soon cease to be a country.

Good Job that UK got rid of the government that didn’t protect their borders then eh?

[transam]

Come on now, The Labour Party only had 14 years to put their plan together, give them a chance...🤣

 

The Labour Party did an extreme amount of Tory slagging off about not fixing the problem, so I am sure all will be revealed very soon, as they are busy at the mo, upsetting their voters by relieving them of cash................

[Nick Carter icp]

15 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

Good Job that UK got rid of the government that didn’t protect their borders then eh?

 

   Seems that that needs to be done again now .

Getting rid of a Government that cannot protect its borders 

Give Nigel a chance