French action ‘has prevented nearly 500 small boat crossings this year'
Yvette Cooper told MPs nearly 500 crossings had been 'prevented' by the French police, with 385 reaching British shores.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms Cooper told MPs the Government had five tactics to address small boat crossings, including strengthening the border and clamping down on illegal working.
Her statement came days after the Government secured a new agreement with France over returning migrants who had arrived on small boats.
She said: 'French actions have prevented 496 boat crossings this year, but 385 boats have crossed.
'And criminal gangs are operating new tactics, increasing the overcrowding of boats so that more people arrive, and loading them in shallow waters, exploiting the French rules that means their authorities have not been able to intervene in the water.'
It is unclear whether the figure refers to small boat crossings being stopped before or during attempts to leave the coastline, or by other means such as seizing boats from warehouses.
The Home Secretary referred to 'appalling scenes' of people clambering onto crowded boats in shallow waters, and said French police had faced 'disgraceful violence' from gang members behind the crossings.
She continued: 'We cannot stand for this. That is why the new action agreed with France includes establishing a new French Compagnie de Marche of specialist enforcement officers, with stronger public order powers to address increases in violence on French beaches and prevent boat launches before they reach the water.'
Some 22,492 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel, according to latest Home Office figures.
This is up 57% on this point last year (14,291) and 71% higher than at this stage in 2023 (13,144), according to PA news agency analysis.
Last week's agreement saw a deal struck for a one in, one out system that would see a small boat migrant exchange for a legal asylum seeker.
No details have been given about how many people will be covered by the scheme, but reports from France have indicated it could initially be limited to around 50 a week – a small fraction of the weekly average this year of 782.
Priority will be given to people from countries where they are most likely to be granted asylum as genuine refugees, who are most likely to be exploited by smuggling gangs and also asylum seekers who have connections to the UK.
The accord came at the end of a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to the UK.
Ms Cooper said: 'The new agreement reached at the summit last week means stronger partnership working with source and transit countries to prevent illegal migration.'
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp rubbished the idea that progress had been made on the issue, and said statistics showed small boat crossings had risen under Labour.
Mr Philp said the 12 months since Labour's election last July had seen a 40% rise year-on-year in terms of crossings.
He said: 'The Home Secretary comes here today sounding rather pleased with herself. I'm afraid she has no reason to.
'A year ago, she promised to smash the gangs, she said again and again that was her plan, indeed it was her only plan. Yet today, there is no mention of what was once her favourite catchphrase.
'That's because her claim to smash the gangs has become a joke, an embarrassment to her and to the Government.'
He added that rather than closing asylum hotels, there were 3,000 more people in them than last year.
'She is setting records, just all the wrong ones,' he said.
Ms Cooper replied: 'This crisis, the small boats chaos, went on for 340 weeks under the Tories, a period in which when he was immigration minister, overall migration near trebled and small boat crossings increased tenfold when he was the immigration minister in charge.'
She later said the Government's plan would involve greater co-operation with other governments, rather than 'standing at the shoreline shouting at the sea'.
Ms Cooper said: 'We will best strengthen our border security by working with countries on the other side of those borders who face exactly the same challenges far better than just standing at the shoreline shouting at the sea.'
Conservative former minister Andrew Murrison asked the Home Secretary to respond to the idea that the UK was 'perceived as being attractive to illegal migrants'.
She replied: 'I do think frankly it has been too easy to work illegally in this country for too long, and we know that one of the things that the criminal gangs say to people is, 'it will be easy to get a job'.
'They will even give people discounts if they can come and work for those same criminal gangs operating in the UK.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report
MasterChef presenter John Torode says an allegation he used "racial language" was upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of his former co-presenter Gregg Wallace. The report, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found . There were also two standalone allegations made against other people. In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Torode said he was one of those people, but added that he had "no recollection of the incident" and said he "did not believe that it happened". He commented: "Following publication of the executive summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. "For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. "The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. "I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. "However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence." Wallace, 60, said he was "deeply sorry" for causing any distress, and never set out to "harm or humiliate". While the majority of the substantiated claims related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, one related to "unwanted physical contact", and three were about being "in a state of undress". The report said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace's return to MasterChef "untenable". In a statement on Monday, Wallace said "some of (his) humour and language missed the mark", but he said, after nearly 20 years on MasterChef, "I now see that certain patterns, shaped by traits I've only recently begun to understand, may have been misread". Wallace, who said a "late autism diagnosis" had helped him understand how he is "perceived", criticised the BBC, saying the corporation had left him "exposed to trial by media". "This has been brutal," he said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mexico, EU Tariff Threats Follow Double-Digit Trend: How Shoe Firms Are Responding
Where will the tariff sweep settle? No one knows yet what the way forward will be, but a likely double-digit percent tariff for all countries seems to be where rates are headed. More from WWD Summer's Anklet Trend Has Reached New Heights, Here are the Best Styles to Shop Now These Celeb-Loved Shoes Are Currently 50% Off at Vivaia's End-of-Season Sale Oleksandr Usyk Readies for Daniel Dubois Fight With Aid From Ukrainian Designer Based on the reciprocal tariff rates disclosed on April 2 by American President Donald Trump and the current trend in tariff rates, including announced 'trade deals,' double-digit percent rates not far from the reciprocal rates from April 2 are where rates could end up if trade deals aren't reached by Aug. 1. Based on an outline of agreed terms, the U.S. has said it has two 'trade deals,' one with the U.K. for a 10 percent tariff and the other with Vietnam at 30 percent. Negotiations move to the next stage where the U.S. and the U.K. and Vietnam continue with talks to finalized the trade terms. The U.S. also said it continues its talks with China for a trade agreement. The 90-tariff pause that has rates temporarily lowered to 30 percent is slated to end on Aug. 12. The reciprocal rate for the U.K. was 10 percent, 46 percent for Vietnam, and 34 percent for China, although that later escalated to as high as 145 percent for certain imported items. That had footwear firms pondering their cost structure going forward, as they worried about their ability to stay in business while maintaining some profitability against a tariff backdrop. While there was a global 90-day reprieve on tariffs to allow for trade talks, Aug. 1 seems to be the cut-off date after Trump declared on his social media platform Truth Social that there would be no more extensions. And nearly four months later, the only certainty shoe companies have is that costs are going up. American President Donald Trump on Saturday levied a 30 percent tariff on imported goods from two of the nation's largest trading partners, the European Union (EU) and Mexico, starting Aug. 1. Letters were sent to EU Commission President Ursula von de Leyen and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Also included in both letters was a reference to a higher tariff for transshipped goods and that the new levy excludes existing sectoral tariffs. The EU so far has postponed retaliatory tariffs, hoping to hash out a deal with the Trump administration before Aug. 1. But EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said in a statement Saturday that the EU would take necessary steps to safeguard its interests, including retaliatory tariffs if talks fail. Trump's letter to the EU Chief says the EU has 'one of our largest Trade Deficits,' noting that 30 percent is 'far less than what is needed to eliminate' the deficit. The initial reciprocal rate was 20 percent, but that later was raised to 30 percent and then to 50 percent. Trump said in his letter to Sheinbaum that while the country has helped to secure the border, 'what Mexico has done, is not enough.' Trump in February assessed a 25 percent tariff on Mexico after claiming that America's southern border neighbor hadn't done enough to bar the 'pouring' in of drugs like fentanyl into the U.S., nor had it been able to control the activities of criminal cartels. Following a month-long delay to allow for negotiations, the levy was imposed in March, only to be delayed again a few days later. Trump's claims resurfaced in him letter to Sheinbaum as reasons for the new tariff. And while the letter didn't address covered goods under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, those imports are expected to remain duty-free through at least July 2026, when the trade agreement will be subject to a review. Trade talks are expected to continue over the next few weeks. A Goldman Sachs economics report on the EU noted that Trump's latest threat 'might well be a negotiating tactic,' noting that a 'framework agreement' would likely include a 10 percent tariff rate on all goods and 25 percent for certain other categories, such as steel and aluminum and on critical goods such as pharmaceuticals. A flurry of tariff letters were sent out last week that included Cambodia, Indonesia and India, countries where their economies rely on footwear production. Cambodia was assessed as 36 percent duty rate, with Indonesia at 32 percent. India faces a 26 percent reciprocal tariff rate, but hasn't yet received the dreaded tariff letter, likely because Trump said the two countries are close to a trade deal. China is the largest shoe producer for imports to the U.S., followed by India. Vietnam is also a large shoe producer in the athletic footwear sector. While shoe prices in general have been slightly lower versus year-ago levels, the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America's chief economist Gary Raines said recently there is 'mounting evidence upstream in the supply chain of surging average duties per pair on footwear imports.' He said that's an indication that higher duties could soon push the average landed costs of footwear imports higher, which in turn may result in retail footwear prices climbing higher later this year. Some brands have implemented price increases, although they seem to be working hard to cap the higher prices to an amount that's manageable for consumers. Steven Madden Ltd. is one example where the company has 'selectively' raised prices to consumers and wholesale customers for its fall items. The increases weren't across the board, and there were differing amounts for select items based on brand, product category and style. While some items will see a 20 percent increase, the average uptick will be in the 10 percent range. Nike Inc. raised some prices in June, averaging between $2 and $10, but only for select items. Footwear prices between $100 and $150 will see increases up to $5, and shoes starting at $150 and higher will see increases up to $10. A large portion of its assortment mix will remain at their current price range. And in a nod to 'families and the upcoming back-to-school season,' there are no increases on any kids' products, whether for footwear or apparel. Items under $100 will stay the same, and Nike's popular Air Force 1 sneaker will stay at $115. Moreover, there are no planned price increases for any Jordan product. Shoe brands showing at the June market week — the FFANY and FSNYE shows — appeared to be taking Trumps's tariff threats in stride. Some brands, such as Guess, were able to keep wholesale prices steady. And even when a wholesale price increase was warranted, such as at Söfft Shoe Co.'s new men's shoe brand Align, the increase of $3 translated to just a $5 uptick at retail. That kind of increase — Align shoes average between $150 to $180 at retail — is in line with Nike's sneakers that are priced at $150 and higher. Those price adjustments suggests that shoe firms are working with their upstream vendors to keep price changes within a certain range at the consumer level, even if it means brands and suppliers might need to each absorb some of higher costs resulting from tariff increases. Meanwhile, credit ratings firms Fitch Ratings said Monday that discretionary retailers are expected to 'experience near-term operating challenges resulting from the softening consumer sentiment and the evolving tariff policy.' What isn't clear is whether brands and retailers will provide third quarter guidance when they begin posting second quarter earnings results in a few weeks. A report indicated that June foot traffic has decelerated, although that could be due to rainy weather during the tail end of the month and the pulling forward of purchases earlier in the year as consumers bought goods early to get ahead of anticipated tariff-related price increases. Best of WWD All the Retailers That Nike Left and Then Went Back Mikey Madison's Elegant Red Carpet Shoe Style [PHOTOS] Julia Fox's Sleekest and Boldest Shoe Looks Over the Years [Photos]
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wes Streeting says doctors' strikes 'a gift to Nigel Farage'
Wes Streeting has stepped up his war of words with junior doctors by telling Labour MPs that strikes would be "a gift to Nigel Farage". In a hard-hitting speech to the Parliamentary Labour Party, the health secretary claimed ministers were "in the fight for the survival of the NHS". And he said that if Labour failed in its fight, the Reform UK leader would campaign for the health service to be replaced by an insurance-style system. Mr Streeting's tough warning to Labour MPs came ahead of a showdown with the British Medical Association (BMA) this week in which he will call on the doctors to call off the strikes. The BMA has announced plans for - formerly known as junior doctors - in England, which are due to begin on 25 July. At a meeting in parliament at which he received a warm reception from Labour MPs, Mr Streeting said: "The BMA's threats are unnecessary, unreasonable, and unfair. "More than that, these strikes would be a gift to Nigel Farage, just as we are beginning to cut waiting lists and get the NHS moving in the right direction. "What better recruitment agent could there be for his right-wing populist attacks on the very existence of a publicly funded, free at the point of need, universal health service? He is praying that we fail on the NHS. "If Labour fail, he will point to that as proof that the NHS has failed and must now be replaced by an insurance-style system. So we are in the fight for the survival of the NHS, and it is a fight I have no intention of losing." The threatened strikes are in pursuit of a 29% pay rise that the BMA is demanding to replace what it claims is lost pay in recent years. The government has awarded a 5.4% pay increase this year Earlier, appearing before the all-party health and social care committee of MPs, Mr Streeting said the strike would be a "catastrophic mistake" and not telling employers about their intention to strike would be "shockingly irresponsible". He said BMA leaders seemed to be telling their members "not to inform their trusts or their employers if they're going out on strike" and that he could not fathom "how any doctor in good conscience would make it harder for managers to make sure we have safe staffing levels". He said: "Going on strike having received a 28.9% pay increase is not only unreasonable and unnecessary, given the progress that we've been making on pay and other issues, it's also self-defeating." Read more: He said he accepted doctors' right to strike, but added: "The idea that doctors would go on strike without informing their employer, not allowing planning for safe staffing, I think, is unconscionable, and I would urge resident doctors who are taking part in strike actions to do the right thing." Mr Streeting warned the strike would lead to cancellations and delays in patient treatment and spoke of a family member who was waiting for the "inevitable" phone call informing them that their procedure would be postponed. "We can mitigate against the impact of strikes, and we will, but what we cannot do is promise that there will be no consequence and no delay, no further suffering, because there are lots of people whose procedures are scheduled over that weekend period and in the period subsequently, where the NHS has to recover from the industrial action, who will see their operations and appointments delayed," he said. "I have a relative in that position. My family are currently dreading what I fear is an inevitable phone call saying that there is going to be a delay to this procedure. And I just think this is an unconscionable thing to do to the public, not least given the 28.9% pay rise."
