Immigration minister says illegal migration is falling – but seems to say the government won’t plan to stop crossings entirely

• Robert Jenrick defended the Government’s record on reducing illegal migration
• READ MORE: Kent council considers home for unaccompanied child migrants

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick appeared to suggest the Government is not aiming to stop small boat crossings ‘entirely’.

Defending the Government’s record on reducing illegal migration, Mr Jenrick said they are ‘beginning to make progress’ and ‘numbers are falling’.

The Prime Minister promised British voters at the start of 2023 he will do ‘whatever it takes’ to stop small boat crossings. 

But when pressed on why they were still ‘nowhere near stopping them’, Mr Jenrick failed to commit to preventing crossings completely. 

He told the BBC: ‘Although there is a long way to go, our plan is beginning to bear fruit… We won’t stop them entirely.’

Defending the Government’s record on reducing illegal migration, Robert Jenrick (pictured) said they are ‘beginning to make progress’ and ‘numbers are falling’

More than 24,000 people have attempted the crossing in 2023 (pictured: file image of migrants being helped ashore by lifeboat crew members)

More than 24,000 people have attempted the crossing in 2023.

Labour’s immigration spokesman Stephen Kinnock said: ‘Rishi Sunak pledged to stop the boats. He didn’t pledge to stop only ‘some’ of the boats. 

‘It’s laughable Tory ministers are trying to claim victory, when we still see tens of thousands crossing the Channel.’

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