More small boats of illegal migrants have arrived in Britain during new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first week in office compared to his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: More illegal migrants on small boats crossed the English Channel during new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first week in office than during former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s. 📰 DETAIL: In the week ending July 27, Burnham’s first week in office, 13 small boats carrying a combined total of 881 illegal migrants arrived in the United Kingdom. In contrast, 546 small boat migrants arrived during the first week of Burnham’s predecessor, former Prime Minister Starmer, between July 5 and July 11 in 2024. This follows a report from last week, which revealed that a vessel carrying a record-breaking 165 illegal migrants had crossed the English Channel on a single boat just days into Prime Minister Burnham’s premiership. “The situation is alarming, unique, and exceptional,” said a French lifeboat service spokesman, describing the launch of the vessel. The previous record was set on July 12, when 128 illegal migrants arrived in the country on a single boat. 🎯 IMPACT: The increase in arrivals during Burnham’s first week raises questions about his interest in handling small boat crossings, despite the fact that much of his predecessor’s widespread unpopularity was attributed to ineffective border control. This continues a trend of rising illegal immigration under the new Prime Minister. Earlier this month, it was reported that small boat crossings had recommenced once Burnham entered 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official residence, after a brief pause. Earlier this year, in May, it was reported that over 200,000 illegal migrants had entered the country after crossing the English Channel since 2018, per British government data. This included approximately 50,000 illegal migrants who arrived within roughly one year of the Labour Party coming to power. |
Image by Kirsty O’Connor / No 10 Downing Street.
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