Borders Watchdog Slams Government's Approach to Migrant Crisis

Strategic Insights -

The UK government's pledge to "smash the gangs" and end the use of migrant hotels by 2029 is unlikely to tackle the small boats crisis, according to the head of the borders watchdog, David Bolt. Instead of focusing on organized crime groups, Bolt suggests that the challenge is to change the risk-reward ratio for those involved in organized immigration crime. He also warns that there is not enough housing stock to deal with the number of people in the asylum system. The number of migrants crossing the Channel has increased by 45% this year, with 18,400 migrants having made the journey so far.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government's pledge to "smash the gangs" is unlikely to tackle the small boats crisis, according to David Bolt, the head of the borders watchdog.
  • Bolt suggests that the challenge is to change the risk-reward ratio for those involved in organized immigration crime, rather than focusing on eradicating gangs.
  • There is not enough housing stock to deal with the number of people in the asylum system, with Bolt stating that there "simply isn't sufficient housing stock to be able to deal with the sorts of numbers in the system".
  • The number of migrant hotels will not be phased out by the end of the current parliament, as predicted by Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, with Bolt stating that he doesn't think the goal will be achieved.
  • There has been a significant increase in the number of refusals and appeals within the asylum system, with Bolt stating that the numbers are "not very tractable" and "very hard to see how they're going to be reduced significantly".
  • The UK population is projected to grow at a slower rate than previously estimated, due to a sharp drop in the level of legal migration, according to the Office for National Statistics.
  • Net migration to the UK is estimated to have halved from 860,000 in 2023 to 431,000 in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Statistics:

  • 18,400 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, an increase of 45% compared to the same period last year.
  • 12% of the 88,000-strong prison population in England and Wales are foreign prisoners, who will be deported earlier in their sentence under new laws.
  • The UK population is projected to grow at a rate of 5.9% between mid-2022 and mid-2032, down from an initial estimate of 7.3%.
  • Net migration to the UK is estimated to have halved from 860,000 in 2023 to 431,000 in 2024.

Sources:

  • David Bolt, independent chief inspector of borders and immigration
  • Rachel Reeves, chancellor
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS)
  • Ministry of Justice
  • House of Lords justice and home affairs committee