Prime Minister Andy Burnham asserted on Tuesday that his government's plan to stop small boat crossings is proving effective, even as official statistics show nearly 900 migrants arrived in the UK via the English Channel during his first week in office. Burnham stated that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's "very rigorous" approach is contributing to a reduction in illegal entries.
According to Home Office figures, 881 migrants arrived on small boats in the initial seven days of Burnham's premiership, which began on July 20. These arrivals were spread across 13 vessels, including one instance on Thursday where a single boat carried 165 migrants, a record for a "mega-dinghy."
Burnham acknowledged that while numbers can fluctuate, overall boat crossings are "down quite significantly year on year." He added, "So that does suggest that the plan is working." He also noted that "the number of people being removed is up, so the figures are pointing in a better direction." However, he conceded that "there is much more to do."
The Prime Minister has faced criticism for his public silence on the issue of illegal migration since taking office, with his initial public appearances focusing on other commitments. These included plans to lower household energy bills, cap bus fares, and the unveiling of a new "No10 North" site in Manchester, which critics have labeled a "gimmick."
Downing Street has indicated that the Prime Minister's second week in power will involve addressing other significant national issues, such as youth unemployment, social care, defense spending, and economic growth. No further immediate interventions on small boat crossings were detailed.
An analysis of government data indicates that 77,183 migrants crossed the Channel during the previous Labour premiership, following their general election victory in July 2024. This year, more than 13,000 arrivals have been recorded, a figure that is approximately 45 percent lower than at the same point last year and 16 to 18 percent down compared to 2024 figures.