The UK government plans to use sanctions to target gangs profiting from people-smuggling in the Channel, but security and immigration experts have expressed scepticism about its effectiveness.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced plans to target corrupt police officers, fake passport dealers, and firms supplying small boats for smuggling. The measures are due to be announced on Wednesday, along with the names of individuals and companies targeted by sanctions.
However, experts warn that overpromising is a risk. Tom Keatinge, director of the Centre for Finance and Security at the Royal United Services Institute, said: “I would caution against overpromising. The use of sanctions to ‘smash the gangs’ seems far-fetched and remains to be seen.”
Dr Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, agrees that there is a lack of evidence on the impact of sanctions in this specific area. He notes that smuggling networks often operate outside the UK with minimal assets or visibility, making it difficult for asset freezes to be effective.
The government has released the names of about two dozen individuals accused of facilitating people-smuggling. While some experts believe the sanctions may disrupt some criminal networks, others argue that enforcement alone will not stop dangerous channel crossings.
Refugee charities have also voiced concerns that sanctions may not address the root cause of migration issues. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “Sanctions may help disrupt some of the criminal networks, but enforcement alone would not stop people from taking dangerous risks to reach the UK.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/22/starmers-sanctions-plan-for-people-smugglers-far-fetched-say-experts