Since WWII, the UK has developed a proud tradition of offering hope and support for those fleeing persecution abroad.

However, over recent years our reputation as a refuge for those fleeing persecution has been manipulated and twisted by organised criminal people trafficking gangs.

That is why the Labour government is introducing the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. But let’s not forget how we got here: for three years, the previous Conservative government poured all its energy and resources into trying to make the failed Rwanda scheme work, instead of focusing on the real source of the small boats problem – the organised criminality behind the highly lucrative trade in people smuggling.

Over 84,000 people crossed the Channel since the Rwanda scheme was announced. The Conservatives collapsed our asylum decision-making system and relied on the Rwanda Scheme gimmick. They hemorrhaged an eye watering £700-million of taxpayers’ money on a system which they knew could not and did not work.

This Labour Government has set out a clear ambition to boost border security by breaking the business model of smuggling gangs and increasing returns of illegal migrants, as part of a properly controlled and managed immigration system.

The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill introduces powerful new measures that will give law enforcement agencies tougher tools than ever to smash criminal smuggling gangs and disrupt their ability to carry out small boat crossings. Landmark legislation to protect our borders will see criminal gangs face counterterror-style tactics for the first time, transforming the ability of law enforcement agencies to detect, prevent and prosecute people smugglers.

Some of the key measures in this Bill include: new powers on seizing electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops, to disrupt the activities of criminal smuggling gangs; new offences against gangs selling or handling small boat parts for use in the Channel – with sentences of up to 14 years in prison; new processes around the use of Serious Crime Prevention Orders to target the individuals involved in organised immigration crime; a new law to protect lives at sea, making it an offence to endanger another life during perilous small boat crossings to the UK – with a sentence of up to five years in prison; new and modernised biometric checks overseas to build a clear picture of individuals coming to the UK, and to prevent those with a criminal history from entering and importantly, new and improved data sharing between law enforcement agencies and both the DVLA and HMRC, to help detect people smuggling gangs and track their activities.

Tackling these gangs is one of this Labour government’s top priorities.

Small boat arrivals fell in the last quarter of 2024, despite the first half of the year being on track to be higher than the record year of 2022, with the last quarter seeing 10,000 fewer arrivals, even though the first half of the year was up six per cent. This demonstrates how the Labour government has not just pledged to solve the crossings with words – but we are working to smash the gangs with action.

Perran Moon, Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth