UK’s Burnham pledges ‘relentless’ focus on illegal migration

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged an "unrelenting" focus on tackling illegal migration, specifically small-boat crossings, following a tour of Dover's Joint Command Room. Burnham reported that the National Crime Agency (NCA) has nearly doubled its deployment of crime agency officers over the past year, increasing the count from 376 to almost 800.

He emphasized that the government aims to restore control at the border while simultaneously providing support for genuine migrants in need. Illegal migration has been a contentious issue in the UK, contributing to the rise of Nigel Farage's far-right Reform UK party, which has taken advantage of public concern over the issue. Despite a decline in small-boat migrant numbers this year, with 2,000 crossing since Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister, Burnham stressed the importance of building a system that offers safe routes for migrants to deter the gangs' exploitative practices.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood echoed Burnham's commitment, stating that her department is "doing whatever it takes to secure the border," noting a 41% increase in deportations since Labour took office in 2024. The NCA has played a crucial role in the efforts, aiding in over 300 arrests and seizing more than 1,100 small boats and engines intended for smuggling operations.

This intensified focus on illegal migration comes amid heightened European concerns following a recent crisis in Ceuta, Spain, where over 60,000 Moroccan migrants crossed into Ceuta last week, prompting calls for stronger EU border controls and potential repercussions for Spain's Schengen agreement.