Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is dealing with scrutiny after blaming the climate for a document variety of Channel crossings. It comes as stress mounts on her and Keir Starmer to finish the continuing disaster. Ms Cooper stated the UK’s border safety is “depending on the climate,” with the document variety of small boat crossings this 12 months reflecting higher situations than in earlier years.
The newest information means that over 6,600 migrants have crossed the Channel up to now in 2025, a 31% enhance from this time final 12 months. Meanwhile, the variety of “red days”, when calm climate and sea situations make crossing simpler, is up from 17 to 42 in comparison with final 12 months. So what do you assume? Vote in our ballot and be part of the controversy within the feedback part. Can’t see the ballot beneath? Click right here.
Ms Cooper stated: “March had much higher levels and the really unacceptable situation that we’re in is because of the way the criminal gangs have taken hold, our border security ends up being dependent on the weather and we cannot continue like this, where the number of calm days affects the number of crossings and affects our border security.
“We’ve seen higher numbers in March, lower numbers in January and February, and that’s reflected in the number of calm days. We cannot carry on with border security being so dependent on the number of calm days that happen in the Channel.
“But the reason that is happening is because the criminal gangs still have a deep hold. So, the action that we are taking to address this is much stronger action with France, including new measures that will take place in the course of this year.
“France has agreed now to take action and to intervene in French waters. They’ve never done that before, that is a big and important change.
“The previous government tried to implement that. This is something that we have managed to achieve as a result of our close working with France.”
It comes forward of a two-day summit in London this week organised by Ms Cooper and the Prime Minister. They will push for extra worldwide cooperation in tackling provide routes, legal funds and on-line adverts for harmful journeys.
More than 40 international locations, together with the US, Vietnam, France, and Iraq, are anticipated to attend. Representatives from social media giants X, Meta, and TikTok are additionally anticipated to attend.
Officials have additionally confirmed a £33m funding increase to safe extra prosecutions alongside the smuggling routes to the French coast. British prosecutors will forge nearer ties with allies to lock up extra migrant smugglers throughout the continent.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2034872/poll-yvette-cooper-resign-migration-uk