The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats during Andy Burnham's first week as Prime Minister has exceeded the total recorded in the first seven days of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, according to newly released figures. The data piles fresh pressure on the new Labour leader to break his silence on immigration and set out his approach to border control.
Figures compiled by the Home Office show that several hundred migrants made the crossing between July 19 and July 25, compared with a lower number during Starmer's initial week in office. The increase comes despite Burnham's promise of a more humane and effective system. Critics argue that the numbers demonstrate the continued failure of government policy to deter illegal crossings.
Burnham, who took office after orchestrating a bloodless coup against Starmer, has spent his first week unveiling a series of eye-catching policies. These include the opening of No 10 North in Manchester and proposals to give mayors a share of income tax revenue for local infrastructure. He has also adopted a more informal communication style, using platforms such as TikTok to engage with the public. However, the migration issue has remained a persistent challenge that he has yet to address in detail.
The opposition, including Conservative MPs, have called on Burnham to urgently address the situation. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the figures showed that Burnham's approach was already failing and that the country needed a robust plan to stop the boats. Meanwhile, refugee charities have urged the government to create safe and legal routes to reduce dangerous crossings, warning that a purely deterrent approach is not working.
Under Starmer, the government had pursued a tougher line on immigration, including the introduction of new legislation to deter crossings and a controversial deal with Rwanda. Burnham criticised some of these measures during his leadership campaign, promising a more compassionate system. The latest numbers will test whether his alternative approach can deliver results.
The Channel crossing crisis has been a major political issue for years, with tens of thousands of migrants making the journey annually. The new prime minister has yet to outline detailed plans for dealing with the issue beyond general statements about breaking the business model of people smugglers and working with international partners.
With the summer months typically seeing a surge in crossings, Burnham faces an early test of his leadership. The coming weeks will reveal whether he can stem the flow and fulfil his promise to bring order to the asylum system while maintaining his commitment to a humane approach.
