Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has affirmed the UK government’s commitment to implementing migrant removals, stating her intention to oppose last-minute attempts to prevent them. This declaration follows a bilateral agreement with France, which was brokered earlier by former Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
The deal stipulates that the UK will return a number of individuals who have crossed the English Channel to France. In exchange, the UK will accept an equivalent number of migrants who have not attempted this crossing. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that this program is intended to serve as a deterrent against dangerous Channel crossings.
Earlier this year, the number of people making the journey across the English Channel on small boats reached a record high, though the majority are subsequently granted asylum. Public concern regarding the capacity of public services, including education, housing, and health, has kept immigration high on the political agenda. This context is set against polls suggesting a public overestimation of the number of individuals entering the country without required documentation. The period has also seen several anti-migrant demonstrations, including a rally led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Source: www.livemint.com