The UK has “lost control” of its borders over the past five years, Defence Secretary John Healey told Sky News. The country is facing a record number of migrants crossing the Channel, with 1,194 arriving on Saturday alone. This brings the total for 2025 to 14,811, a 42% increase from last year and a 95% increase from 2023.
Healey stated that the previous Conservative government left the asylum system “in chaos” and contributed to record levels of immigration. French police have been unable to intervene in intercepting boats in shallow waters, allowing smugglers to continue launching migrants into the Channel.
The UK is pressing for France to implement new rules that would allow them to intercept these smugglers and stop people in boats, rather than just on shore. Despite signing a £480m deal with the UK to stop the crossings, French police have been preventing only 38% of asylum seekers from reaching the UK this year.
Healey’s comments come as Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Labour of having “completely lost control of our borders”. The situation remains dire, with migrants including children boarding small boats and being escorted to British shores.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/britain-has-lost-control-of-its-borders-defence-secretary-tells-sky-news-13377622