British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tells cabinet to prepare for more unrest
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned his cabinet that more anti-illegal migration protests lie ahead if social cohesion isn't mended, as his government struggles with an influx of illegal migrants crossing the English Channel.
Mr Starmer is reported to have said to his ministers that more protest will follow if the government does not deliver on its promise to cut immigration and stop illegal boat crossings in the English Channel.
Meanwhile, Downing Street's executive director of policy and delivery Liz Lloyd warned that social cohesion was "fraying at the edges."
It comes after a series of protests against migrant hotels - recently in the Essex town of Epping in the southeast of England, and in the Norfolk town of Diss in the east of England.
Speaking on GB News, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said there was a risk of a summer of civil disobedience on a grand scale. — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 22, 2025
"Don't underestimate the simmering anger and disgust there is in this country," he warned, highlighting weekly arrivals of "many hundreds of undocumented young males".
Mr Farage also said most people attending the anti-immigration protests are concerned families who are worried about social cohesion.
"Do I understand how people in Epping feel? You bet your life I do."
In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner - who is also the UK housing minister - said immigration and deprivation was fraying social cohesion.
Presenting the UK's Plan for Neighbourhoods, Ms Rayner said 17 of 18 neighbourhoods that experienced rioting last year were among the most deprived in England.
"While Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish," she warned.
She said it was 'incumbent on the government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people's lives and their communities.'
Opinion polling in the UK suggests that if a general election was held today Reform UK would most likely be the largest party, with the governing Labour party - which swept to power after 14 years of Conservative governments - reduced to the opposition.
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