More than 40,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel to the UK this year, the British government has announced in a new report as the UK seeks to strike a deal with France to combat human smuggling.
The UK Department of Defense said the initial total of people who crossed the border this year reached 40,885 refugees, mostly Albanians, Iranians and Afghans, up from 28,561 refugees last year, indicating a significant increase.
The ministry added that about 972 people were seen on Saturday on 22 boats embarking on a dangerous journey.
According to British statistics, the number has been rising over the years, from 299 refugees who crossed the border in 2018 to 1,843 in 2019 and 8,466 in 2020.
Their numbers continued to rise despite several British initiatives, including a plan to return migrants to Rwanda, which was blocked by the British judiciary.
And last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said a new plan was being prepared with France after his first direct meeting with President Emmanuel Macron.
During Friday’s talks, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and her British counterpart James Cleverly stressed “the urgent need to address all forms of illegal immigration, including the transit of small craft, and its root causes,” the joint statement said.
The growing number of migrants has increased asylum applications and living costs, estimated by the UK government to be £6.8 million ($7.8 million) a day, draining the efforts of service providers and angering Britons.
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick wrote in the Sunday Telegraph that Britain’s “generosity” is being “abused” by economic migrants who are “buying asylum” across Europe.
“(Hotel Britannia) needs to be put an end to and replaced with simple, functional rooms that don’t add any extra appeal,” he added.
The British government is looking at alternatives to housing asylum seekers in hotel rooms, including moving them to abandoned student residences or budget cruise ships, the Sunday Telegraph reports.
But refugee groups are accusing the government of a tough and chaotic approach in the wake of a disease outbreak at an overcrowded shelter processing center in Manston in southeast England.
Officials said migrants at the facility are being vaccinated against diphtheria due to the high incidence of the highly contagious disease.
Jenrick pointed to the importance of a closer relationship with France, and as part of the new partnership, the UK will provide around £80m to Paris to strengthen joint action and operations against trafficking gangs.
