Labour's proposed legislation aims to tackle the small boats crisis by implementing stricter penalties for migrants who interfere with rescue efforts in the Channel. The bill includes measures to seize mobile phones, target information gatherers, and prevent people-smuggling activities.
Migrants who hinder rescue attempts in the Channel until they reach UK waters could face up to five years in prison under Labour 's new legislation aimed at curbing the small boats crisis. Asylum seekers who attempt to obstruct French coastguards from rescuing them or who hastily board overcrowded dinghies on beaches will be targeted under a newly established offense of endangering lives at sea.
Individuals arriving in English ports via dinghies will also have their mobile phones confiscated as part of efforts to gather more intelligence on the organized crime groups behind the trafficking operation. Furthermore, it will become illegal to gather information about illegal crossings, including researching routes or vessels, and to handle boat parts such as engines used by these gangs. Suspected people-smugglers could face bans on using phones or laptops under counter-terrorism-style powers, enabling police to intervene earlier in their investigations. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, published by the Home Office yesterday, will also reverse numerous attempts by the Conservatives to halt the crossings, including formally repealing the Rwanda deportation scheme. However, the authority to detain children and the prohibition on migrants claiming modern slavery protections will remain in effect despite Labour's opposition to these measures before the election. This follows a year when nearly 37,000 people illegally crossed the Channel in 2024, marking the deadliest year on record with at least 78 deaths at sea as gangs crammed ever-increasing numbers of people into fragile boats. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated: 'Over the last six years, criminal smuggling gangs have been allowed to take hold all along our borders, making millions out of small boat crossings. 'This Bill will equip our law enforcement agencies with the powers they need to stop these vile criminals, disrupting their supply chains and bringing more of those who profit from human misery to justice. 'These new counter-terror-style powers, including making it easier to seize mobile phones at the border, along with statutory powers for our new Border Security Command to focus activity across law enforcement agencies and border force will turbocharge efforts to smash the gangs.' Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt added: 'These crucial measures will underpin our enforcement action across the system, and together with our strengthened relationships with international partners, we will bring down these gangs once and for all.' But Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp countered: 'This is a weak Bill from a weak Government. It just re-announces steps the last Government took already, and beyond that only engages in minor tinkering - for example, taking phones off illegal immigrants when they arrive. That won't stop the boats. 'As the National Crime Agency said, an effective removals deterrent is needed to stop the boats, but there is nothing about a returns deterrent for all illegal migrants in Labour's Bill.
Migrants Channel Rescue Labour Law Legislation People-Smuggling Border Security Home Office Tories
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