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More than 5,400 people crossed the Channel in small boats in October – the highest monthly figure since October 2022.<\/p>\n
In total, more than 27,500 people have made the crossing so far this year, more than the same period in 2023. <\/p>\n
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the high number of crossings in October was linked to unusually fair weather. <\/p>\n
However, she told the BBC the government could not just blame weather conditions for spikes in illegal immigration and had to “go after the criminal gangs at the heart of this”. <\/p>\n
Pressed over when a drop in small boat crossings could be expected, Cooper would not commit to a specific target. <\/p>\n
She added that it would take time to get investigators and new technology in place but the government wanted to make progress “as rapidly as possible”. <\/p>\n
Sir Keir cancelled the Rwanda deportation scheme, which was the Conservative government’s plan to discourage Channel crossings.<\/p>\n
The prime minister is adamant that the kinds of things he will be talking about on Monday will do a better job.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Sir Keir revealed on Monday that the UK will also increase its funding for Interpol\u2019s by \u00a36m for global efforts against organised drug crime.<\/p>\n
The Home Office will also invest \u00a324m in the new financial year to tackle international organised crime affecting the UK, including drugs and firearms, fraud, trafficking and exploitation. <\/p>\n
Funds will in part be used to bolster work done by special prosecutors and operational partners in the Western Balkans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/picture><\/span>PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n