LONDON, England: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a major policy shift aimed at tackling the rising problem of migrant crossings from France to the UK.
According to international media at an Interpol meeting, Starmer unveiled his plan to double funding for Britain’s Border Security Command to £150 million ($194 million), equipping the agency with advanced surveillance technology and adding 100 specialized investigators.
His approach will also involve treating smuggling networks akin to terror groups, emphasizing closer collaboration between international law enforcement and enhanced legal powers to dismantle these operations.
Starmer’s strategy comes as more than 31,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel this year, marking an increase from 2023 figures, despite efforts to curb these dangerous journeys. So far, 2024 has been the deadliest year for crossings since the trend surged in 2018, with at least 56 people losing their lives attempting the journey.
This new approach diverges from the Conservative Party’s plan, which proposed relocating migrants to Rwanda as a deterrent—a policy Starmer dismissed as a “gimmick.” His Labour administration now seeks to address the humanitarian crisis at its core by dismantling the organizations enabling these perilous crossings. Starmer’s policy reflects a broader call for global action, urging nations to confront the severe risks associated with irregular migration.
