Starmer is poised to toughen his stance on illegal migration in a bid to neuter Reform’s appeal.
Labour sources said the Prime Minister plans a series of interventions on the issue in the coming weeks, after party activists said failure to tackle the Channel migrant crisis was repeatedly raised on the doorstep during the local election campaign.
In opposition, Sir Keir vowed to ‘smash’ the people smuggling gangs, describing the Tories’ Rwanda deportation scheme as a ‘gimmick’.
But despite creating a new Border Security Command, more than 11,000 people have crossed the Channel illegally so far this year – up 40 per cent on 2024.
This week ministers announced plans to bar foreign sex offenders from claiming asylum in the UK.
They are also looking at moves to speed up the removal of those who arrive illegally and are even examining options to process the claims of migrants abroad.
Sources said the Government would table amendments aimed at toughening up controls on both legal and illegal migration, including restrictions on foreign students taking low-skilled jobs.
Starmer is poised to toughen his stance on illegal migration in a bid to neuter Reform’s appeal.Labour sources said the Prime Minister plans a series of interventions on the issue in the coming weeks, after party activists said failure to tackle the Channel migrant crisis was repeatedly raised on the doorstep during the local election campaign
In opposition, Sir Keir vowed to ‘smash’ the people smuggling gangs, describing the Tories ‘ Rwanda deportation scheme as a ‘gimmick’. Pictured: A group of migrants attempting to cross the Channel on Christmas day
But despite creating a new Border Security Command, more than 11,000 people have crossed the Channel illegally so far this year – up 40 per cent on 2024. Pictured: Migrants being brought in to Dover last year
Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham, backed the move after Durham County Council, run by his party for a century until 2021, was seized by Reform yesterday in a result which left Labour holding just four of the 98 seats.
Mr Akehurst said voters had ‘serious and legitimate concerns about illegal immigration and we have not looked strong enough’.
He said the party must also tackle the cost of living crisis to regain support, adding: ‘There is a sense of communities having been left behind for a very long time. Unless Labour addresses their economic decline, it is understandable people will look at more radical alternatives.’
Sir Keir made no mention of immigration yesterday when he responded to the ‘disappointing’ election results, saying only that he wanted to go ‘further and faster’ on Labour’s pledge to deliver ‘change’.
