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Emigration and immigration

UK to Outlaw Social Media Ads Promoting Channel Crossings to Asylum Seekers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As part of a push to crack down on people smuggling, the UK government plans to create a new law making it a crime to create or share online content that promotes or facilitates journeys on small boats to asylum seekers. The new offense could result in up to five years in prison and a hefty fine for those found guilty. This move comes as data from the Home Office reveals that 80% of migrants who arrived in the UK on small boats used social media during their journey, including to locate or communicate with people smugglers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK government will create a new law making it a crime to create or share online content that promotes or facilitates journeys on small boats to asylum seekers, punishable by up to five years in prison and a hefty fine.
  • The new offense will include advertising small boat crossings, selling fake passports, visas, and other travel documents, and promoting opportunities for illegal work in the UK.
  • 80% of migrants who arrived in the UK on small boats used social media during their journey, including to locate or communicate with people smugglers, according to Home Office data.
  • The new law will also make it a crime to post online content that encourages someone to break UK immigration law in exchange for money.
  • Organised crime groups have used social media to promote crossings, including a south Wales-based gang convicted in November 2024 and a network operated by smuggler Amanj Hasan Zada, who was later jailed for 17 years.
  • People smugglers have used social media to promote £12,000 "package deals" to get to the UK, which will also fall under the scope of the new law.

Statistics:

  • 80% of migrants who arrived in the UK on small boats used social media during their journey, including to locate or communicate with people smugglers, according to Home Office data.
  • Up to 80% of migrants who used social media during their journey located or communicated with people smugglers.
  • £12,000 is the amount of money that people smugglers have promoted as a "package deal" to get to the UK.

Sources:

  • Home Office data:
  • Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary:
  • Rob Jones, Director General for Operations at the National Crime Agency (NCA):
  • Reuters:
  • EPA:

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