Efforts to prevent the migration wave across Channel Tunnel

The steady flow of migrants fleeing armed conflict and poverty, attempting to cross the Channel Tunnel to reach the UK, remains a complex challenge for the country. Amid a sharp increase in illegal immigration to the UK and its associated consequences, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has pledged to take strong measures to dismantle human trafficking networks.

The UK Home Office estimated that more than 31,000 migrants have arrived in the country via the Channel Tunnel since the beginning of the year from France, surpassing the figures for all of 2023. Despite the swift currents along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, migrants continue to attempt the journey on small and overloaded boats. The increasing number of people crammed onto each boat reflects the desperation of migrants and the increasingly audacious tactics of traffickers. This dangerous journey has led to nearly 60 migrant deaths since the beginning of the year, making 2024 the deadliest year since the surge of illegal Channel crossings began in 2018.

Similar to the previous Conservative government, the Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to grapple with preventing the flow of illegal migrants into the UK but has adopted a different approach to addressing this pressing issue. Shortly after taking office in July, Prime Minister Starmer cancelled his predecessor Rishi Sunak’s controversial plan to send illegal migrants and asylum seekers in the UK to Rwanda. Instead, he has pledged to focus on dismantling human trafficking networks. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) will recruit an additional 100 investigators to support this effort.

At the recent INTERPOL General Assembly’s session in Glasgow, the UK, Starmer highlighted that human trafficking gangs pose a global security threat, urging the international community to recognise the gravity of this challenge. The Prime Minister stressed that the UK cannot “turn a blind eye” to the tragic loss of migrant lives. To effectively combat human trafficking networks, he affirmed that the UK will apply a counter-terrorism approach. The UK leader also called for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies and closer coordination with relevant stakeholders and suggested expanding the powers of these forces.

To strengthen the fight against human trafficking, the UK government also plans to double the budget for the Border Security Command over the next two years, increasing it from 75 million British pounds to 150 million British pounds. This budget will purchase advanced surveillance equipment and pay for dedicated investigators. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper noted that this increase will significantly impact efforts to tackle this crime. According to Cooper, human trafficking gangs are undermining border security and putting the lives of migrants at risk, yet they continue to operate outside the law.

These measures were introduced amid continued criticism from the Conservative Party regarding Prime Minister Starmer’s handling of illegal immigration. The Conservatives are pressuring the UK government to reconsider its approach, arguing that Starmer should not have cancelled the previous government’s plan. Meanwhile, the Refugee Council argues that expanding safe routes must be an essential part of any strategy to reduce border crossings. According to the refugee support organisation in the UK, without safe and legal pathways, refugees have no choice but to risk their lives by taking routes controlled by traffickers.

Preventing the flow of migrants is unlikely to be solved solely through the efforts of the UK; it requires cooperation from across the Channel Tunnel. EU countries are the first destinations for migrants attempting to reach the European continent. Therefore, cooperation between the UK and EU member states in addressing this common challenge is something that Prime Minister Starmer has emphasised during his recent trips to Europe.

NDO