According to reports, the Prime Minister directed a Whitehall review of the cross-Channel crisis of migrant workers.
Boris Johnson, who is said to be frustrated by his Government’s inability to reduce migrants travelling on small boats to Europe from Africa, wants ministers redouble their efforts to address the crisis.
The Times reports that Stephen Barclay, a former Brexit secretary, is now in charge of reviewing the situation.
It will seek to find solutions to the crisis and make sure all departments – not only the Home Office – are contributing.
This review comes after a record week of migrant Channel crossings. On Tuesday, 1,000 reached Britain and 24,000 made the trip this year. This figure almost doubles the 2020 arrivals.
After a string of promises by Priti Patel, Home Secretary to address the crisis, Mr Johnson is frustrated.
This week, they concluded with the idea that asylum seekers might be transferred abroad to undergo processing. Albania and other countries are being investigated as potential destinations.
According to The Daily Telegraph it was revealed that Ms Patel has plans for a Greek-style crackdown upon migrants. New restrictions will be imposed on asylum seekers as well as the construction new purpose-built reception facilities.
Regular checks are made on migrants’ movements in Greece. They face curfews that prevent them from getting off the radar.
According to reports, the Prime Minister had ordered a Whitehall review of the cross-Channel migrants crisis. Boris Johnson said that he is ‘exasperated” by the failure of his government to decrease the number migrants who travel on small boats. He wants ministers to “double down” their efforts to resolve the crisis.
A senior source in government said that Johnson was frustrated that the migration crisis is still unsolved. He also stated that it was one of his top priorities. The PM was worried that after two years, there would be no solution.
“Boris is frustrated.” They told him that he had instructed ministers to double their efforts to resolve this matter, regardless of how hard it might be.
It’s likely to get worse when the weather warms up.
The Home Office is developing new plans that will allow migrants to have their asylum claims dismissed if they are caught or behave badly.
The changes – which will require legislation – will be crucial in the operation of the new processing centres, which will house asylum seekers while their cases are scrutinised.
The issuance of ‘asylum applications’ could be made to migrants for them to keep track of the status and progress of their applications through smartphones, computers or the centres.
Priti Patel (Home Secretary) was amazed by how Greece has digitalized its asylum process in order to keep track of cases and speed up the decision-making.
Miss Patel spoke to The Telegraph and stated that Greece has decided not to be a part of the EU bloc of competence.
Ministers also want to prevent riots in asylum centers again.
A source stated that “If they break the rules, it affects their asylum claim.”
They would then be instructed to report back by a set time. They would also be prohibited from absconding.
Previous reports have suggested that crossings could be tackled using giant wave machines and nets to catch boat propellers.
But Dan O’Mahoney from the Home Office’s Clandestine Channel Risk Commander told the Home Affairs Select Committee that they had never been considered’.
He said that wave machines are a ‘bizarre idea’.
The Home Secretary could admit to having failed to deal with the matter by bringing in Mr Barclay.
This comes just a few days after Sir Keir starmer had accused Ms Patel, accusing her of not fulfilling promises to stop illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.
According to the Labour leader, Ms. Patel had not reached strong agreements with France in order to stop migrants from making dangerous sea crossings.
Following a week that saw record numbers of migrants crossing the Channel, the review was conducted after the fact. More than 24,000 of them made this journey in the year. This figure almost triples the amount that arrived in 2020. Above: Yesterday’s arrival of migrants in Dover
At least 10 people have been killed trying to cross the dangerous border in recent weeks. Above: Yesterday’s rescue boat by Border Force for migrants carrying migrants
It was revealed last night that Ms. Patel plans to implement a Greek-style crackdown against migrants. This will include new restrictions for asylum seekers and the construction of purpose-built reception centers.
These new arrivals increase the number of people who have reached the UK in this month’s total to 4,019, surpassing the September record of 3,879. The record breaking 23,761 total for this year is already in place
He claimed that the Home Secretary used strong language to repeatedly state how she would deal with the problem but did ‘absolutely absolutely nothing’.
His attack came as Ms Patel blamed the EU’s open borders – established by the Schengen Agreement – for failing to check the movement of people through the bloc.
She spoke to journalists during her Washington visit and said that she was constantly pressing the French about the issue but they were overwhelmed.
‘Let’s not forget that the real problem on illegal migration flows is the EU has no border protections whatsoever – Schengen open borders,’ she was quoted as saying.
At least 10 migrants are believed to have drowned trying to cross the border in recent weeks.
This comes after campaigners threatened to sue the Home Secretary for legal action due to so-called “pushbacks” following allegations that she has sanctioned the tactic of turning migrants back toward France at sea.
Apparently, Emmanuel Macron (French President) said that Britain’s ‘oscillate of partnership and provocation’ during a discussion on the migrant crisis. He added: ‘We have to strengthen collaboration.
French officials have spoken out about the rise in violence against police officers. They highlighted instances where one officer was bitten on the ear and another when CS gas canisters were needed to disperse a large group of migrants.
Downing Street stated that while the government was working ‘extremely closely with French authorities to resolve the matter, it felt the need for a coordinated response by countries throughout Europe.
“We face a global immigration crisis orchestrated by organised crime groups that put people onto these boats to make these extremely dangerous crossings,” a spokesperson from No 10.
‘This is an urgent issue for the whole of Europe, requiring incredibly close working together with our neighbours – France, Belgium and the Netherlands – as well as our friends across the continent. We need to find common solutions because it is a problem we all share.
Sir Keir claimed that it was only the Government who is to be held responsible for Britain’s failures with its ‘busted asylum system.
Ms Patel had complained this week about a dysfunctional system that allowed Emad Al Swealmeen, a Liverpool bomber, to stay in the UK. Despite having allegedly been rejected for asylum in 2015
Sir Keir stated: “My jaw dropped when the Home Secretary said that the problem was that the asylum system had been busted.
“This Government is in power for eleven years. They will bust the asylum system if it fails to comply with their orders.
“Asylum applications were used to take six months, many years back. These days, it can take years. We MPs all have constituents that have waited for years to have their cases even considered.
“So, if the asylum system has been busted, the question becomes who did it? The answer is the government.”
The British ambassador from Albania has denied that his country is in talks with the Government to host a centre processing migrants arriving in Britain.
Qirjako Qirko stated to LBC radio that the matter had never been discussed between the countries.
‘It’s absolutely fake news because as my prime minister stated yesterday – the foreign minister also tweeted yesterday – that doesn’t exist, any negotiations between Albania and the UK regarding these processing centres,’ he said.
‘It will not be changed because my prime minister was crystal clear yesterday when he said that Albania… will never be a processing centre for illegal immigrants.’
On a recent trip, Ms. Patel stated that offshore processing centers were still ‘on the table. However she refused to talk about specific negotiations.
Some have suggested that migrants might be held indefinitely abroad while their cases are being investigated.
‘We keep everything on the table… and this is why the new Nationality and Borders Bill is just so important,’ she said.
A bus carrying newly arrived migrants is seen at Dover harbor after they have crossed the channel. Dover, Britain. November 18
Border Force staff escort migrants to Dover harbour after they have crossed the channel. According to new plans, asylum applications for migrants who abscond and misbehave will be thrown out by the Home Office.
“I am the only Home Secretary who has undertaken the task of reforming a system that is fundamentally broken in terms of illegal and asylum migration. I have done this for 20 years.” Her admission that Britain is facing a crisis in mass migration was her first.
Following months of tension with France’s government, Ms Patel changed her tone and said that small boats should be considered a European problem.
She said France was ‘overwhelmed’ by asylum seekers heading for the UK.
And she blamed Brussels – which governs EU border policy – for failing to act. “Let’s not forget what the true problem is with illegal migration flows. [that]She stated that the EU does not have any border protections.
France is unable to stop cross-border crossings by itself. Others countries need to take a greater role in border protection.
French officials have confirmed that seven of the ten attempted crossers of the Channel were from Belgium, according to Miss Patel.
Video footage shot this Tuesday, the day more than 1,000 migrants arrived in the UK, showed numerous groups of migrants including children celebrating as their boat was re-started on Calais’ beach.
Her comments were further emphasized by her: “The EU’s Schengen area is open to movement and free borders. They don’t have any border control or checks.
“There is not a single position among EU members regarding how to deal with this problem.” It is an EU issue.
The Home Secretary continued, using highly charged language: “There is a massive migration crisis.” I’ve said this from day one – from the minute I walked into the Home Office. For everyone who complains about this – and no-one is more angry and frustrated about this than myself, alongside the British taxpayers – there isn’t a silver bullet.
It’s pointless to say, “Well, you could just pull boats back.” This will not stop them. There are numerous issues regarding criminal gangs, smugglers etc. Ms. Patel spoke out about the French, saying that they were overwhelmed. This is an affluent fact.
“We’re constantly pushing France to do this, and we ask them to tell us where they are lacking in honesty. They can’t fix everything. Although we have an excellent working relationship and are very close, no country is able to fix it all on its own.