This summit is a part of the government’s efforts to curtail irregular migration by targeting organized crime. However, so far, the strategy has not yielded results, with more individuals crossing the Channel in small boats this year compared to the previous three years.
Starmer will state, “When I was the director of public prosecutions, we worked across borders throughout Europe and beyond to stop numerous plots, saving thousands of lives in the process. We prevented planes from being blown up over the Atlantic and brought the perpetrators to justice. I believe we should handle organized immigration crime in the same manner.
“I firmly believe that organized immigration crime can be tackled. We need to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics, and address the issue upstream at every step of the people smuggling routes.”
Ministers will launch the summit with new policy measures, including a £30m allocation to combat global trafficking routes and the illicit money flows that fund them. An additional £3m will be allocated to the Crown Prosecution Service to enhance its international work.
Attendance at the summit will include officials from countries such as the US, Vietnam, Iraq, and France, as well as Meta and TikTok discussing ways to stop the online promotion of people smuggling.
Yvette Cooper stated on Sunday that the government will also amend employment laws to penalize businesses that hire individuals without the necessary visa, even as contractors. Furthermore, she added that the government is considering the application of article eight of the Human Rights Act, which protects the right to a family life.
Cooper remarked on the BBC, “We are reviewing this area to ensure that the immigration and asylum system operates effectively as intended by parliament and maintain a sense of control within the system.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/31/people-smuggling-gangs-keir-starmer-global-summit
