Labour promised action on illegal migration, but since taking office, the numbers have only skyrocketed. Small boat crossings are surging at record levels, showing just how little the government is doing to tackle the crisis. So far this year, over 5,000 illegal migrants have arrived on British shores, marking the worst start to a year for Channel crossings since the problem first took off in 2016. The numbers are not just climbing—they are soaring past last year’s figures.
And who is footing the bill? British taxpayers. Right now, the average cost of supporting an illegal migrant is over £51,000 per year. That means just this year’s arrivals alone have already added a quarter of a billion pounds to the bill. While the government insists it is getting tough on illegal migration, the numbers speak for themselves—Labour’s approach is failing miserably, reported the Express.
One of the first things Starmer’s government did was scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme, calling it a “gimmick.” While far from perfect, at least it was a plan to deter illegal migration. In its place, Labour has offered the so-called “Border Security Command,” which so far has delivered absolutely nothing.
Ministers talk about cracking down on smuggling gangs, but the reality is that arresting a few traffickers won’t stop people from making the journey. Without real deterrence, thousands of migrants will continue to land on UK shores. The government is simply putting a sticking plaster over a deep wound, pretending it’s a solution.
Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper claim they are working with France to stop the boats. But the reality is that French authorities are still allowing migrant dinghies to cross into British waters without interference. Just this week, a French naval vessel was seen following a sinking migrant boat—waiting until it drifted into UK territory before Border Force took over. Instead of stopping these boats on French beaches, authorities are effectively waving them through.
This is not border control; it is a national embarrassment. Instead of protecting Britain’s borders, Labour is allowing thousands more migrants in without any plan to stop the flow.
Labour’s so-called “tough stance” is nothing but hot air. The same weak policies, the same excuses, and the same failure continue. Unlike the previous Conservative government, which at least attempted to put deterrents in place, Labour won’t even acknowledge that stronger action is needed.
Without the threat of immediate deportation, illegal migrants will keep making the journey. Every boat that arrives encourages another. Every failure to act makes Britain an even bigger magnet for crossings.
And it’s British communities paying the price. Hotels are still packed with migrants, all funded by taxpayers. Public services are under pressure. And tragically, more lives are being lost at sea because there is no effort to stop the crossings outright. This is not compassion—it is recklessness. Starmer has not stopped the boats. He has rolled out the red carpet.
