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Migrant summit LIVE: Keir Starmer makes migration announcement at major press conference

Keir Starmer sets out Labour’s small boats plan in 2024

Sir Keir Starmer has revealed more than 24,000 migrants have been deported since Labour came to office.

Amid mounting concern over the Government’s plan to end the Channel crisis, the Prime Minister said he was introducing “tough” measures to deter crossings.

He pointed to a 21% increase in enforced returns and a 16% increase in foreign national offenders being removed from the UK since July 5.

Sir Keir said: “Immigration crime funds the vile people-smuggling gangs that trade in human misery, breach our borders and threaten Britain’s economic security.

“This government is taking back control, doing the hard graft needed to deliver results, working with our international allies to smash these gangs and secure our borders.

“We’ve already removed more than 24,000 people with no right to be here and we’re finally shutting down exploitative illegal working, dismantling criminal networks, while forcing people-smuggling gangs out of business.

“For too long, the UK was a soft touch. That ends now. No more gimmicks, no empty promises, just serious action for British security.”

More than 6,600 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, up 31% on last year.

He wrote in a national newspaper column: “I opposed the Tories’ Rwanda scheme not just because it was a gimmick designed to sound tough and get headlines. But because it was a hollow pledge to working people which had no prospect of ever being fulfilled. A slogan isn’t a solution. Instead, it undermines trust in mainstream politics as a force for good.

“I know some of you will read this with scepticism and assume that nothing can or will be done. I am determined to prove the opposite.

“I accept my approach is not glamorous but it’s how I do business: sleeves rolled up, getting the details right, doing the hard graft.

“We’re pulling every possible lever, from the supply chain for small boats to illicit finance and social media – with Meta, X and TikTok all joining the summit today. Already our new approach is delivering results.

“France has said it wants to change its rules so law enforcement officers can deal with small boats in shallow waters.

“Germany will strengthen its laws against those who facilitate smuggling to the UK, so we can break into warehouses storing boat parts. A joint taskforce with Italy is hitting smugglers’ finances. This collaborative approach is transforming border security at home. We inherited the most extraordinary disconnect between policing, our Border Force and our intelligence agencies. I was shocked.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Makes Transport-Related Visit In West Yorkshire

Keir Starmer will address the Organised Immigration Crime summit (Image: Getty)

More than 24,000 illegal migrants removed

The Government claims illegal migrants are being removed faster than ever. It says more than 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK since the General Election – the highest returns rate for eight years.

Between 5 July and 22 March 2025 there were 24,103 returns, the highest 9 month period compared to any 9-month period since 2017. Prior to this from Jan – Sept 2017, returns were 25,225.

Of total returns since 5 July 2024:

there were 6,339 enforced returns of people with no legal right to remain in the UK, the Government says.

3,594 were of foreign national offenders (FNOs).

6,781 were asylum related returns.

From 5 July 2024 to 22 March 2025 there have been 46 charter flights for returns to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America.

Yvette Cooper appeals to other countries to help fight illegal migration

“It is governments and not gangs that should be deciding who enters our country” says Yvette Cooper.

She says “new counter terror powers” will be used to figth people smuggling gangs. But strengthening UK border security means working with other countries.

“No country can do this alone”, she says.

Children given fake life jackets says Yvette Cooper

People smugglers give children fake life jackets that will not keep them afloat if the “flimsy” rubber boats they are placed on sink, says Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

We have seen “children crushed to death and yet the boat carries on” as the rubber boats are overcrowded, she says.

‘A vast and ruthless criminal industry’ profit from ‘vile trade’

Yvette Cooper says “a vast and ruthless criminal industry” of people smuggling is worth “billions of pounds.”

“Organised immigration crime” breaks laws and threatens “cohesion”, she says.

And she says they profit from “a vile trade in human beings”

Recent years have seen a small boat crossing industry “take hold” on our borders.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper vows to secure borders

Speaking to politicians from across the world gathered in London for the illegal migration summit, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper says “new scales” of illegal migration are causing “major challenges”.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks

In a video shown to the migration summit, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says her country and the UK are “uniting our efforts” to stop illegal migration and fight the profits made by people smugglers and traffickers.

Keir Starmer says he wants to end ‘misery and evil’

The Prime Minister says he wants to work with other countries to smash the gangs and secure UK borders.

‘A tough new law’ to stop illegal working, says Keir Starmer

The Prime Minister says a new law will mean business owners that fine illegal workers can be fined £60,000, go to prison for five years and have the businesses closed.

Illegal migration is driving down wages

Sir Keir Starmer has admitted Britain’s illegal migration crisis is driving down wages.

He also says smugglers are pushing “poisonous narratives” of a better life.

But the reality, Sir Keir said, is “exploitation”.

Smugglers only care about money

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer insists people smugglers only care about making vast profits.

Government insiders believe the crime gangs rake in hundreds of millions every year.

Sir Keir insists the boats are so dangerous people wouldn’t allow their children to climb into a boat, even in shallow waters.

The Prime Minister compared the boats to cars.

They’d be taken off the road in minutes, by the police, he says.

We’ve deported over 24,000 people

Sir Keir Starmer said the UK has deported over 24,000 migrants since Labour came into office.

The Prime Minister claims this would have taken 80 years, under the Rwanda scheme.

He says it is the highest return rate for eight years.

Sir Keir also bragged of the “biggest return flight ever”.

We must take tough measures in our own country

Sir Keir says Border Force will be able to seize migrants’ phones to garner crucial intelligence to destroy the smuggling networks.

He says Labour is “creating an elite Border Force, working with our international partners”.

The Prime Minister said the new powers will allow UK authorities to intervene before smugglers try to launch a boat.

Plan is making a difference, PM insists

Sir Keir said there have been a series of major arrests in France and Amsterdam, leading to engines and boats being seized.

He adds: “There’s nothing progressive about allowing working age people to come here, instead of supporting them to build their own economies, secure a better future for their own countries and build a safer, more prosperous World.”

PM highlights ludicrous situation in Germany

Sir Keir told how it was not illegal to facilitate illegal migration to countries outside of the EU.

But Berlin has changed the law, he said.

This will allow German prosecutors to go after smuggling networks storing equipment just hours from the French coast.

PM: Let’s treat illegal immigration the same

PM: “I believe we should organise immigration crime in exactly the same way.

“I simply don’t believe that organised immigration crime cannot be tackled.

“We’ve got to combine our resources, intelligence and tactics.”

Sir Keir: Nothing progressive about failing to tackle illegal migration

He says: “We’ve got to bring to bear all the powers we have at our disposal, in much the same way that we do against terrorism.”

PM: I’m delighted to welcome 40 countries here

Sir Keir says he remembers his first trip to Calais, where he saw children as young as five “in freezing temperatures, with almost nothing to keep them warm”.

Sir Keir: Crisis makes me angry

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer admits the migrant crisis “makes people angry”, adding it is “unfair”.

Sir Keir said it is unfair on taxpayers “who pay the price for the cost of hotels, for public services struggling under the strain and it’s unfair on illegal migrants themselves, because these vulnerable people are being ruthlessly exploited.”

The Prime Minister arrives

Sir Keir Starmer begins his speech by referencing previous summits at Lancaster House, and talks on Ukraine’s future.

He links it to the importance of international partnerships tackling global problems.

Tories go on the attack ahead of Organised Immigration Crime Summit

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “The government’s plan to ‘smash the gangs’ already lies in tatters.

“We are about to see 30,000 illegal channel crossings since election reached this week, a 31% increase.

“This year so far has been the worst on record. This is a direct consequence of the government cancelling the Rwanda deterrent before it even started.

“Other countries, including Germany, Italy and the even the European Commission are looking at offshore processing as a deterrent, but Starmer’s Labour government has gone in the opposite direction. He has lost control of our borders as a result.

“Today’s conference will make no difference to that – as the NCA themselves said, law enforcement alone cannot stop illegal immigration.

“You need a removals deterrent.

“And Yvette Cooper admitted yesterday that the government is simply crossing its fingers and praying for bad weather to stop illegal migration across the channel. That is not a plan.”

When will the boats stop?

Border Security Minister Angela Eagle told LBC this morning: “Nobody is happy with the numbers, but I think you have to remember that there are no magic wands and easy switches here.

“You have to do basic operational police work.

“These gangs were allowed to form and take hold for six years. We have been in government for eight months.

“We’re just getting legislation on the statute book so that we can deal with some of the preventative stuff.

“We’re reaching out to colleagues in other jurisdictions so that we can cooperate cross borders.

“We’ve made arrests of people smuggling gang members across Europe.

“We are interdicting some of the supplies of boats, which is why more people per boat is now happening.

“The numbers of boats coming across are very similar, it’s just there are more people on them.

“We’re dealing with our French colleagues. They’re going to set up a new elite police force in the northern beaches. That’s going to happen a bit later this year.”

More from Sir Keir

“We’re imposing sanctions that treat smugglers like terrorists.

“We’ve ramped up raids on illegal working and today we’re setting out plans to close a loophole that allowed businesses to avoid checks on those in short-term or zero-hours roles – so that Britain is no longer a soft touch for illegal working.

“Me reeling off a list of actions isn’t what the British people are looking for. I know that. People want to know we will give them security – in their jobs, in their streets, in the promise of opportunities for their kids. I can promise we will.

“It isn’t gimmicks – or more populism – that will solve this problem. It is practical government. That is the change this Labour Government brings.

“That’s how we will smash the gangs, secure our borders and restore your faith in the ability of mainstream politics to deliver for you.”

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The list of countries attending today

Austria, Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Council of Europe, Croatia, Czech Republic, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kurdish Regional Government, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, Estonia, Portugal, Vietnam, UNODC, USA.

UK Hosts Summit On Organized Immigration Crime

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 31: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes Ireland’s Minister of Justice, Jim (Image: Getty Images)

UK Hosts Summit On Organized Immigration Crime

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 31: Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes the Minister of the Interior of th (Image: Getty Images)

Delegates arrive at the Organised Crime Summit

Representatives from more than 40 countries are expected today.

Organised Immigration Crime Summit - London

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes guests to the Summit (Image: PA)

Organised Immigration Crime Summit - London

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomes Portugal’s Minister of Home Affairs, Margarida Blasco, to the (Image: PA)

Government asks for time to end small boat crossings

Dame Angela Eagle told Sky News that the Government needs “time” to dismantle people smuggling gangs.

Speaking to Sky News, the border security and asylum minister was asked whether she was disappointed in the number of crossings.

She said: “Of course, we’re disappointed. Some of that is about having more people per boat, which is also more dangerous and more reckless.

“But what we’ve got to do – we’ve been in government for eight months – these people smuggling gangs have been allowed to establish themselves across the Channel and be very sophisticated with their global networks for six years. We are going to dismantle them by working with other people cross-jurisdiction, operationally too.”

“But we need time to do that, and we need to have events like this so that we can co-operate together to increase our effectiveness,” she added, pointing to the Government’s summit opening on Monday.

Sentencing Council row intensifies

The other big story today is the row over “two-tier justice”.

Judges are being told to consider an offender’s racial, cultural and religious background when deciding whether to impose a custodial or community sentence.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged the Sentencing Council to reverse the plans.

But the quango on Friday defended the plans and rejected calls to change the guidelines, meaning they will come in on April 1, setting up a showdown between ministers and judges.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told Times Radio: “I think you do want to have guidelines provided to judges and magistrates so that there is a very high degree of consistency across the country in the way in which sentences are passed down.

“And so it’s right that they provide guidance and that they keep that under continuous review.

“It is also important, however, that there is a degree of ministerial oversight over that.

“So if they stray into policy and political decisions of great importance to the justice system, as has happened in this case, ministers such as the Justice Secretary can intervene.”

More efforts to hunt smugglers

Officials last night confirmed a £33million funding boost to secure more prosecutions along the smuggling routes to the French coast.

British prosecutors will be expected to forge closer ties with allies to lock up more migrant smugglers across the continent.

The organised crime gangs are raking in hundreds of millions every year, insiders believe.

Government officials say the Organised Immigration Crime summit will be an opportunity to expand “the follow the money strategy globally”.

Migrants and smugglers use an ancient payment system known as “Hawala”.

This sees a third party pay a ‘handler’ in the migrants’ home country. This money is then held until the migrant arrives safely at their destination.

The smuggler can collect his money from another handler in the country where he is operating. No physical money is ever transferred under this system.

But it effectively means criminals can move their profits across continents almost as quickly as regular bank transfers – without the scrutiny.

Migration is top of the political agenda today

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will use a two-day organised immigration crime summit to push for more international co-operation on tackling supply routes, criminal finances and online adverts for dangerous journeys.

More than 40 countries are expected to attend, including the US, Vietnam, France and Iraq. Representatives from social media giants X, Meta and TikTok are also expected to attend.

Labour blame the weather for Channel migrant surge

Home Secretary Ms Cooper said the UK’s border security is currently “dependent on the weather”.

Officials believe there have been far more “red days” – when crossings are considered likely because conditions are calmer – than in previous years.

This has allowed smugglers that have “taken a deep hold along the English Channel” to launch more boats packed with dozens of asylum seekers.

More than 6,600 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, up 31% on last year.

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