Over 1,100 migrants crossed Channel: UK govt data
LONDON: Some 1,194 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats on Saturday, a record for this year according to government data. It brings the overall number of migrant crossings this year to 14,808, an unprecedented figure despite several measures in place by the French and UK governments to curb the crossings.
The latest crossings, which UK Defence Secretary John Healey described as "shocking", fall short of the all-time record of 1,300 migrants arriving on small boats in a day in September 2022. But they will still prove a headache for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been at pains to toughen his rhetoric on irregular immigration amid pressure from the far right to slash migrant numbers.
Starmer unveiled tough new immigration policies this month that include doubling the length of time before migrants can qualify for settlement in the country and new powers to deport foreign criminals. Separate legislation to tackle irregular immigration, called the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, is currently going through parliament. — AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
12 hours ago
- Observer
German Merz defends migration crackdown
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday defended his government's migration crackdown as vital to "protect public safety", a day after a court ruled one of its flagship policies was illegal. The Berlin court said on Monday that German border officials cannot turn away asylum seekers before it is determined which country should process their cases under EU rules. The court decision could "limit our room for manoeuvre a little", he acknowledged in a speech to a gathering of local government officials in Berlin. But he insisted the ruling was "preliminary", adding: "We know that we can continue with pushbacks". "We will do it to protect public safety and order in our country and to prevent cities and municipalities from becoming overwhelmed". He said the policy, which has caused tensions with some of Germany's neighbours, would be carried out "within the framework of existing European law". The measures were temporary until security at the European Union's external borders "is significantly improved", he stressed. — AFP
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
UK moving to warfighting readiness, threats more serious and immediate: PM Keir Starmer
London: Asserting that Britain is moving to "warfighting readiness", British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said the country faces "war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters" and the threat the country now faces "is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable". Speaking on the Strategic Defence Review, during which he unveiled the government's defence spending plans, Starmer said Britain's defence policy will always be "NATO first". "In the world of today - the front line, if you like, is here. The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War. We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, growing Russian aggression in our our reckless actions driving up the cost of living here at economic hitting working people the hardest," he said. "A new era in the threats we face, demands a new era for defence and just to survive in this new world - But to lead. We will never gamble with our national security. Instead, we will act in the national interest. And that's why I placed national security at the heart of our Plan for Change. That's why I launched this Strategic Defence Review within days of becoming Prime Minster. And now it has delivered," he added. Lauding those who contributed to the Strategic Defence Review, Starmer said, "What you have delivered is a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger." "A battle-ready, armour-clad nation, with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come. And we have already acted - announcing the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Raising it to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, setting the ambition to hit 3% in the next to economic and fiscal conditions," he said. Starmer set out three fundamental changes that, he said, "we are going to deliver". "First, we are moving to warfighting readiness - as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready - And, frankly, to show them that we're ready to deliver peace through strength. Now Britain has the finest service men and women in the world....," he said. "We're showing them the respect that they deserve by delivering the biggest Armed Forces pay rise in 20 years. And by pledging, today, that we will end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces. We'll build a fighting force that is more integrated, more ready, more lethal than everything we do will add to the strength of NATO; third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation to a wartime pace...," he added. He said everything Britain does will add to the strength of NATO, "as we step up to take greater responsibility for our collective defence". "That's why our defence policy will always be 'NATO first'... Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation. When we are building new capabilities at home, we are making our allies safer too -- strengthening Europe and strengthening our bridge to the US as Britain's first partner in defence," he said. "We will innovate and accelerate innovation to a wartime pace... So we can meet the threats of today and tomorrow as the fastest innovator in NATO. It means learning the lessons of Ukraine, which I have discussed many times with President Zelenskyy. To ensure every capability we have works seamlessly together - Drones, destroyers, AI, aircraft... Each different branch of our armed services, fully create an Army which is ten times more lethal by 2035," the UK PM added. The SDR also includes plans to build 12 attack submarines under the AUKUS programme, enhancing NATO's deterrence capabilities as well as investment of EUR 15 billion in the UK's sovereign warhead programme.
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
UK to build attack subs as part of defence review
LONDON: Britain announced it will build 12 new attack submarines as it was set to unveil a major defence review to deal with "growing" Russian aggression and the changing nature of warfare. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that "there is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many, many years, and greater threats." His Labour government will publish its Strategic Defence Review, a document that will assess threats facing the UK and make recommendations. The review warns that Britain is entering "a new era of threat" as drones and artificial intelligence transform modern warfare. "I wanted a review that told me the challenges we're actually facing and likely to face for the foreseeable future," Starmer told the BBC on Monday. "And the principles are clear: war-fighting readiness, integrating our forces... and a Nato first approach," he added. The UK has been racing to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that US President Donald Trump will no longer help protect Europe. Starmer said it would serve as "a blueprint for strength and security for decades to come". — AFP
