More than 450 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Christmas Day.
Home Office figures up to date right now present 451 migrants in 11 rubber dinghies made the damaging journey from France on Wednesday.
The newest arrivals deliver complete to this point this yr to 35,491, round 21% increased than final yr however about 22% down on 2022.
A gaggle of individuals had been additionally seen being introduced into Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident on Boxing Day.
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated: “We have been let down again by Labour. Their Christmas gift to the British public appears to be uncontrolled and unlimited illegal immigration.
“Labour scrapped the Rwanda deterrent earlier than it even began, and consequently unlawful channel crossings are up by round a fifth because the election in comparison with the identical interval final yr.
“This Labour government has failed to offer any real or credible plan to protect our borders – instead offering nothing but hollow soundbites and empty promises.
“They say they need to smash the gangs however the numbers are up on their watch and Labour even voted towards longer jail sentences for these gangs when in opposition.
“If Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper actually believed in stopping the boats they provide this nation an actual and credible plan urgently.”
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice added: “It’s quite clear that far from smashing the gangs, it’s only getting worse under Labour.
“Labour need to start putting British people first and not allowing our borders to be at the whim of the weather.
“Reform UK are clear, our plan is to pick up and return the boats to France as allowed under UN Convention of Law at Sea. This will stop boats within weeks but requires leadership not cowardice.”
The last time there were crossings on Christmas Day was 2022 when 90 people arrived. There were 67 the year before in 2021.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to “smash the gangs” who facilitate the small boat crossings.
As a part of this work, he has arrange a brand new Border Security Command, and is making an attempt to work extra carefully with the UK’s European neighbours to tug aside organised crime gangs concerned in folks smuggling.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1993176/migrants-small-boats-christmas-day