THE UK has negotiated a new deal with France to try and stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats.
Suella Braverman has come under increasing pressure on immigration following her re-appointment as Home Secretary.
This included her use of the word “invasion” to describe migrants crossing the Channel as well as accusations that she “ignored” legal advice about a processing centre in Kent.
The new deal will mean the amount the UK pays France to cover the cost of increased patrols at their end will go up from £55 million to £63m per year.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said the deal fails to address the factors which see people put themselves at risk trying to reach Britain in the first place and that the new deal will “do little to end the crossings”.
He called for a focus on more “safe routes” and working with the EU and other countries to “share responsibility” for the “global challenge”.
He also urged the UK Government to do “far more” to reduce backlogs in the current asylum system.
The number of people waiting for an initial decision on their asylum application to the UK almost quadrupled in the last five years from 29,522 in December 2017 to 122,206 in June 2022, according to Home Office data obtained by the Refugee Council under freedom of information laws.
“The government must take a more comprehensive approach and create an orderly, fair and humane asylum system that recognises that the vast majority of those taking dangerous journey are refugees escaping for their lives”, Solomon said.
“It needs to face up to the fact it is a global issue which will not be resolved by enforcement measures alone.”
The number of officers patrolling the French coast to try stop people setting off will rise from 200 to 300.
So far this year, more than 40,000 people have attempted to make the crossing – the highest number on record.
Other measures include an investment in CCTV and dog detection teams to keep tabs on ports and plans to equip officers with drones and night vision capabilities.
The agreement was signed by Braverman and French interior minister Gerald Darmanin on Monday morning.
Rishi Sunak said the move would contribute to his efforts to “grip illegal migration” and that he was “confident” numbers would come down over time.
The Prime Minister said he had spent more time working on the issue than any other, except the autumn statement which will be announced this Thursday.
