A new law to crack down on migrants arriving in Britain in small boats from Europe across the English Channel will be unveiled on Tuesday, with a senior minister saying “enough is enough,” the Sun on Sunday newspaper reported.
The British government has been promising to step up action to tackle the issue after the numbers making the perilous crossing soared to more than 45,000 last year. The paper reported the proposed new legislation will mean that all those who arrive on small boats will have their asylum claims ruled inadmissible, and will be removed to a “safe third country” as soon as possible.But the first planned deportation flight was blocked in June by a last-minute injunction granted by the European Court of Human Rights , and the strategy’s lawfulness was subsequently challenged at London’s High Court.
London’s High Court subsequently ruled it lawful in December, but opponents are seeking to appeal that verdict. It is expected the legal battle will end up in the UK Supreme Court and so may not be resolved for months.Last November, Sunak agreed a deal with France to step up efforts to address irregular border crossings, and he is due to travel to Paris this week for a bilateral meeting when the issue is set to be a major topic of discussion.