EXCLUSIVE – The Reform UK leader warned attempts to “smash the gangs” will fail because “there will always be someone to fill the place” of those arrested.
Nigel Farage has slammed Labour’s migrant plans
Labour’s plan to end the Channel migrant crisis will “never work” because of Britain’s generous benefits system, Nigel Farage has warned.
The Reform UK leader warned attempts to “smash the gangs” will fail because “there will always be someone to fill the place” of those arrested.
Mr Farage also admitted French interior minister Gerald Darmanin “has a point when he says it’s Britain’s fault because of the generosity of our benefits system”.
He added: “That is why people choose to leave France. I think it is safe to predict that even more migrants will come than have come over the course of the last four years unless we have a radical change of policy”.
Around 22,000 migrants have crossed the Channel this year
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper sensationally claimed there has been “encouraging progress” in the battle to end the Channel migrant crisis, highlighting “significant seizures of boats and equipment in Europe”.
But critics have branded Labour’s approach to the small boats crisis a “complete farce” and warned tens of thousands of migrants will arrive over the coming years.
Tory leadership frontrunner Robert Jenrick said that without the deterrent of Rwanda, it is “open season” for the smugglers, adding that the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have “surrendered” to the gangs.
Reform UK Mr Farage told the Daily Express: “This government’s promise to smash the gangs that organise these crossings will never, in my opinion, work.
“The truth is, they don’t have any realistic plan at all.
“If a gang smuggling migrants across the English Channel can make up to €2 million a week, it doesn’t matter how severe the penalties are.
“There will always be someone to fill the place of those who have been arrested.
“In the case of Labour, the promise for a new Border control boss with extended powers has not yet resulted in anybody being appointed.
“It gives the impression the Labour government doesn’t care about illegal immigration and simply hopes that the problem will go away. Well, it won’t. And in fact, it is only set to get worse.”
At least 12 people died after their boat “ripped apart” off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez on Tuesday, with the boat said to have been adapted and made even more fragile. This year is set to be the deadliest on record, with 37 perishing during a crossing this year.
And the Home Office is yet to appoint the new head of its Border Security Command – the central element of the Government’s plan to hunt the smuggling gangs.
Ms Cooper said Channel crossings in July and August were lower than last year.
Speaking before a summit with intelligence chiefs, the National Crime Agency and Immigration Enforcement officers, the Home Secretary said: “The last two months has seen encouraging progress, with significant seizures of boats and equipment in Europe.
“But there is work to do, and the Border Security Command will bring all the relevant bodies together to investigate, arrest and prosecute these networks, as well as deepen our ties with key international partners.
“At the same time, we are swiftly removing those with no right to be in the UK, which will ensure we have a fair, firm and functioning asylum system where the rules are respected and enforced.”
She also told broadcasters that the Government was making progress on clearing the asylum backlog and returning those with no right to be in the UK “so that we can end these very costly asylum hotels”.
Ms Cooper added: “We have this dangerous situation. The criminal gangs are undermining border security and putting lives at risk.
“In the first half of the year, the number of crossings that we inherited from the previous government were at a record high for spring crossings.