UK Migrant Crossings Hit New Milestone

0:00On March 24, small boat crossings into Britain have hit a new milestone under the labor government. Since the July 2024 election, 69,155 migrants have arrived, with 984 making it, across in just the past six days, including 272 yesterday. The head of the UK's border security command, Martin Hewitt, is stepping down after 18 months on the job. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appointed him to tackle the channel surges, but last year alone saw 41,472. Arrivals. The second highest total ever. Public frustration is growing over failed efforts, like the one-in-one out deal with France, which has only returned 377. Migrants, while nearly as many have come the other way. That agreement expires in June, and labor scrapped the previous for a wanted to turn plan right away. Now, officials are hashing out a new funding deal with France as the current one ends on Tuesday. It would tie British money to actual results, like stopping 9 out of 10 smuggler boats from launching.

1:03Meanwhile, the UK has poured over 770 million pounds into French security since 2018, but past spending raised. Eyebrows with funds going to things like helicopters, e-scooters, and even horse patrols far from the channel.