Following the news of the tragic loss of life in the Channel this week, I share the anger and disappointment that we are seeing a record number of people risking their lives to make this perilous journey, many at the mercy of people-traffickers.
This continues to be a key issue, with many constituents contacting me to express their concerns over the course of the year. As a result, last week, I was part of a group of MPs who discussed our concerns about the ever-increasing number of small boats crossing the Channel directly with the Prime Minister. In order to deal with this issue, we need to work closely and collaboratively with our French counterparts; similar to how we successfully reduced the number of people reaching the UK from France illegally in the back of lorries. Since we have been paying contributions to the French to better police the coastline, 20,000 crossings have been stopped this year, 400 arrests have been made, a number of criminal people trafficking gangs have been closed down, and a host of boats dismantled. Part of the challenge is that we have not been realistic with the public. We receive about 30% of the asylum applicants that France does and 1% of the numbers entering Turkey.
As an island nation, we have some natural barriers, but we alone cannot stop people coming across the Channel. We need to better demonstrate that those who are economic migrants are going to swiftly get their applications rejected and will have to leave the country. Having left the EU, we cannot return failed applicants back to France. Even when we were in the EU, we hardly did so. Existing legislation has not been enough. With the Nationality and Borders Bill, which I will be supporting, it is hoped that we are able to demonstrate that irregular journeys to the UK, such as crossing the Channel, and late claims for asylum would be deterred and penalised in various ways. You can find more details on the Bill via the following link: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9275/
I firmly believe that we need to take this action. From my trips with UK aid agencies to the parts of the world which are on the move, I have always believed that we should support people to stay in their own continents. We cannot fix the challenges of the developed world by taking their brightest and best to this country. We also cannot deliver the public services and infrastructure the numbers require. Tough decisions are required for the greater good.
I am due to meet the Home Secretary shortly and will report back.