PM Burnham pledges to tackle small boat crossings
Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged to be relentless in tackling small boat crossings, noting that crossings are down but he is not complacent.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to be "relentless" in tackling small boat crossings, during a visit to Dover. He said the number of crossings is down significantly compared with the same period last year, but he is not complacent. He stressed the need to bring back control of the border while offering support to genuine refugees.
The government says 14,200 people have crossed the Channel on small boats so far this year, down 44% on the same period last year. However, more than 2,000 have arrived since Mr Burnham took office two weeks ago, with recent calm weather leading to a rise in crossings. The Prime Minister acknowledged the public's concern and said the government is changing its approach, with more resources for law enforcement.
The visit came as the government announced the closure of 13 more asylum hotels, bringing the total to 44 this year. Plans to house asylum seekers in military sites have sparked local opposition, particularly in Piddington, Oxfordshire, where residents are campaigning against the plan. Mr Burnham suggested that wealthier areas should also play their part in housing asylum seekers.
The political response was mixed. The Conservatives called for a deterrent, while Reform UK announced plans to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept boats. Charities urged the government to create more safe and legal routes. The Prime Minister also discussed the migrant crisis in Ceuta with Spain's leader.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC News | BBC One | GB News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossings are down by about 45% compared to the same time last year. | · | |||||
| In the two weeks since Starmer became PM, over 2,000 people crossed the Channel, slightly more than in the same period last year. | · | |||||
| Nigel Farage will announce that under a Reform UK government the Royal Navy would be deployed to intercept all migrant boats. | · | · | · | |||
| The Home Office closed 13 more migrant hotels, bringing the total to 44 this year. | · | · | · | |||
| Andy Burnham exchanged messages with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez about the crisis in Ceuta. | · | · | · | · | ||
| Andy Burnham pledged to be relentless in tackling small boat crossings. | · | · | · | · | ||
| Burnham said asylum seekers should be accommodated across all parts of the country, including middle class areas. | · | · | · | · | ||
| The government is seeking to extend the use of military sites including Crobra and Wethersfield. | · | · | · | · | ||
| 60% of attempted small boat launches from France are stopped. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| A migrant camp in Calais contains around 2,500 people. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Border Security and Asylum Minister Anna Turley said the government wants all communities to do their fair share. | · | · | · | · | · | |
| Burnham reappointed Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, indicating continuity with Starmer's approach. | · | · | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West provided a balanced report, focusing on the PM's first extensive comments on immigration since taking office, with analysis from chief political correspondent Henry Zeffman. It highlighted the reduction in crossings but also the recent increase and the political challenges ahead.
- “The public don't like the idea that the border looks like it's not controlled.”
- “It's working but there's more to be done.”
GB News took a critical, right-wing stance, focusing on the failure to stop crossings, the burden on working-class communities, and the controversial plan to house asylum seekers in middle-class areas. It featured debates and interviews with politicians and commentators, often challenging the government's approach.
- “We will now change our tactics and we will be relentless in chasing them down.”
- “He has said he will eradicate the problem but he won't say by when.”
ITV1 provided a straightforward news report, focusing on the PM's promise and the challenges, including the recent increase in crossings and the political pressure. It included interviews with the PM and critics, and highlighted the human cost of the crossings.
- “We have to deal with the issue, rather than play politics with the issue.”
- “I share their concern every time they see images of people crossing the Channel.”
BBC News provided a comprehensive national report, including the PM's comments, the numbers, and the political context, such as Reform UK's announcement and the Ceuta crisis. It was similar to BBC ONE West but with a broader focus on the political fallout.
- “The public don't like the idea that the border looks like it's not controlled.”
- “This may be his first intervention on immigration. There is no chance it's his last.”
Sky News focused on the closure of asylum hotels and the government's fairness argument, with a quote from Border Security and Asylum Minister Anna Turley. It did not directly cover the PM's Dover visit but covered related developments on housing asylum seekers.
- “The Prime Minister made a really important point that this is about fairness.”
- “We can't have a situation where communities like I saw in Blackpool yesterday have had really more than their fair share of pressure put on them.”
5 News focused on the local opposition to housing asylum seekers in Piddington, Oxfordshire, and the government's plan to use military sites. It highlighted the PM's suggestion that wealthier areas should take a fair share, and the residents' fears.
- “It doesn't matter whether you're rich or poor. It shouldn't have even come into it.”
- “1,200 men roaming around through the fields if they want to, through the village. I'm just not going to feel safe.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.