Some news just in: September migrant boat arrivals fell to their lowest number in six years.
The last time these numbers, which are for people rather than crossings, were this low for the month of September was all the way back in 2020. When the country was under stringent restrictions at the height of the pandemic.
Don’t let anyone tell you that nothing is happening. Last month’s total – just over 2,680 arrivals – is still too high but it is a big drop; around a third, in fact, of the September peak of more than 8,000 in 2022.
And it’s around half of what we saw as recently as this time last year.
While Reform peddles nonsensical and derided fantasy schemes involving the Royal Navy, this government is showing that targeted action on multiple fronts, in coordination with our European allies, is helping to drive the numbers down.
No, it’s not that the boats are getting bigger – these numbers are for people, not boats.
No, it’s not the case that it’s nothing to do with the action in the UK – arrests linked to organised immigration crime have gone up; supply lines have been targeted; and smuggling networks disrupted. Joint work with the French has prevented over 48,000 crossing attempts while Labour has been in power.
And yes, one crossing is still one too many – but this will take time and there is no magic solution that can fix this overnight, despite what other parties might want you to believe.
Concerns about border security are completely legitimate. And I will never ever criticise anyone who is worried about immigration. But as Andy said the other week, let’s stick to the facts. And the facts are that the numbers continue to come down.
Tough talk from Nigel might make some short-lived headlines but it’s this government’s firm but compassionate approach that is achieving results