Burnham Vows To Be ‘Relentless’ In Tackling Small Boats Crisis

Andy Burnham has promised his government will be “relentless” in curbing how many people arrive in the UK on small boats.

Speaking from Dover, the prime minister said the number of English Channel crossings are down by 50% this year compared to the same period in 2025.

“The month we’ve just had in July has been the lowest number for six years,” he said. “So clearly progress has been made.

“But we’re not complacent, that’s why I’m here, it’s why I’ve come down on Sunday to see the team, to listen to what they think needs to be done, what further can be done.

“We’re just going to be relentless.”

He promised the government was “changing the whole approach” by putting enforcement officers on either side of the Channel to tackle people-smuggling gangs.

He made it clear that Labour would also look to build more safe routes for asylum seekers to come to the UK.

“That also takes away the selling points of the gangs. So on every level we’ve got to come at this, but crucially increasing the enforcement activity,” he said.

“So there’s been a doubling of officers through the National Crime Agency on the UK side of the Channel and French officers are now similarly doubled in number working on the beaches over there.”

The Home Office announced the number of NCA officers tackling smuggling gangs had risen to almost 800 from 376 at the start of 2025.

Concerns over illegal migration have grown after tens of thousands of migrants swam into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta last week.

The prime minister acknowledged that 98% of those people have already been returned to Morocco.

But he added: “There’s a broader issue about the Schengen area and our relationship with it, and of course, I would want to be in regular dialogue with the EU on those issues.”

Burnham has been criticised by his right-wing opponents for not focusing on the matter during his first fortnight in power.

More than 2,000 migrants have arrived on small boats since he got the keys to No.10 on July 20.

But the PM said he wants to “deal with the issue rather than play politics with the issue”.

He added: “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.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.