Andy Burnham has pledged that his government will be “relentless” in efforts to reduce the number of people arriving in the UK on small boats.
Speaking in Dover, the prime minister said progress had been made and that the authorities were “changing the whole approach” to tackle people-smuggling networks. He said enforcement officers working against gangs had been doubled on both sides of the English Channel.
Burnham said many people wanted the issue addressed and argued that tackling smuggling had to go alongside providing “safe routes” for those who need protection. He added that offering lawful options would remove part of the appeal for people involved in the gangs.
Ceuta Pushes Migration Talks Back Into Focus
Burnham’s remarks came as political debate over the UK’s illegal migration policy resurfaced following the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants who swam into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on Thursday.
He said that 98% of those who made the journey to the African territory had been returned to Morocco, which he said had dealt with the immediate situation. He added there was a wider issue involving the Schengen area and the UK’s relationship with it, and said he would want regular dialogue with the European Union on those matters.
Enforcement Effort Scales Up
The Home Office said that the number of National Crime Agency (NCA) officers targeting smuggling gangs facilitating small boat crossings had risen to almost 800 from 376 at the start of 2025. Burnham also said there had been a similar doubling of French enforcement officers.
When asked whether he wanted to change the tone of the debate on small boats, Burnham said he wanted to “deal with the issue rather than play politics with the issue”. He said the public did not want the border to appear uncontrolled, adding that control needed to be restored while support continued for those who genuinely need it.
The Home Office also said on Sunday that there had been nearly 300 arrests of smuggling gang members last year, alongside the seizure of more than 1,100 small boats and engines. It said equipment confiscated by the NCA could have been used to help 72,000 more people come illegally to the UK, although the BBC said it was unable to independently verify the claim.
“Clearly, progress is being made, but we’re not complacent,” Burnham said.
Crossings, Returns And Wider Migration Data
Since Burnham became prime minister a fortnight ago, the number of migrants arriving in the UK on small boats has surpassed 2,000. He pointed to a Saturday figure of 326 people crossing the Channel.
Authorities say more people attempt the crossing in summer when conditions improve. Home Office figures show that small boat crossings so far this year are down around 43% compared with the same period in 2025.
Small boat crossings have become the most common way for people to be detected entering the UK illegally since 2020, and the topic has increasingly shaped wider arguments over immigration. Home Office figures also show the number of crossings has been on a downward trend since it peaked in 2022.
In May, the Office for National Statistics reported that net migration to the UK fell to 171,000 last year. That was almost half the figure for 2024 and the lowest level since 2012, with the drop attributed to fewer people arriving from outside the EU for work and study.
Graphic courtesy of BBC
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3 August 2026
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