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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Crime & Justice

Burnham to be ‘relentless’ on small boat crossings after Ceuta crisis

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to be relentless in tackling small boat crossings, emphasizing the need for safe routes to combat trafficking gangs.
  • He noted that while Spain returned most migrants from Ceuta to Morocco, broader issues regarding the Schengen area require dialogue with the EU.
  • Burnham stated progress is being made in controlling UK borders, with increased National Crime Agency officers and a focus on changing the approach to immigration.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to be "relentless" in his efforts to stop small boat crossings, a stance he outlined following a crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish territory.

relentless

— Andy Burnhampledging to be relentless in tackling small boat crossings.

Burnham stated that approximately 98% of the 50,000 migrants who entered Ceuta last week have been returned to Morocco. While this addressed the immediate issue, he acknowledged broader concerns about the Schengen area and the UK's relationship with the EU. He stressed the need for regular dialogue with the EU on these matters.

Speaking in Dover, Burnham emphasized that the UK must "deal with the issue rather than play politics with the issue." He believes changes are needed to reassure the public that borders are controlled, while also providing support for those genuinely in need. "It's about changing the whole approach, and slowly but surely we are putting in place those building blocks of a very different approach to this issue," he said.

safe routes

— Andy Burnhamsaying safe routes for refugees were necessary to tackle trafficking gangs.

Wednesday saw the busiest day for small boat crossings across the English Channel this year, with 752 migrants arriving in the UK. Official figures indicate 14,526 people have entered the UK so far this year, a 43% decrease from the same period last year. Burnham acknowledged that progress is being made but cautioned against complacency. He highlighted that the number of National Crime Agency officers tackling organized immigration crime has more than doubled since the start of 2025.

I would want to be in regular dialogue with the EU on those issues

— Andy Burnhamdiscussing the broader issue of the Schengen area and the UK's relationship with it.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also commented, stating that the government's work to tackle small boat crossings is beginning to "bear fruit." She defended proposed immigration reforms, including doubling the time to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, arguing they are necessary to address "pull factors" that encourage people to make the dangerous journey. "I want to change the calculus. I want them to change their mind about whether they get on the boat in the first place," she said.

The public don’t like the idea that the border looks like it’s not controlled. We need to bring back that control, but also we need to offer support for people who genuinely need it

— Andy Burnhamexplaining the need to reassure the public about border control while offering support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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