Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has called on foreign diplomats to increase their efforts in tackling people trafficking across the English Channel. Cleverly stated that he has written to all UK ambassadors and high commissioners, instructing them to work more closely with the countries they represent to combat the trafficking of human lives. The number of illegal immigrants arriving in the UK via small boats has decreased compared to last year, but is still higher than in 2021 and 2022. The government previously considered turning boats around in the Channel, but this plan was abandoned due to safety concerns.
Despite these efforts, migrants continue to make dangerous journeys across the Channel. In a recent investigation, it was revealed that migrants were being offered trips across the Channel from Dunkirk for £1,500 per person, with the promise of being taken to a four-star hotel by British police upon arrival. The people smugglers also claimed that Brexit has made it easier for them, as there are supposedly no longer fingerprint checks.
In a separate development, former Home Secretary Priti Patel disagreed with her predecessor Suella Braverman’s comments on multiculturalism. Patel stated that voters need the government to deliver on its promises rather than making statements. She criticized NGOs and the UN refugee agency for their interpretation of the Refugee Convention, which she believes allows asylum seekers to travel through multiple safe countries before choosing their preferred destination. Patel also criticized multiculturalism, saying it has allowed people to live parallel lives and undermine society’s stability. However, current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended multiculturalism, stating that the UK is a fantastic multicultural democracy that has successfully integrated people into society.