Migrant crossings a ‘shared problem’ for Britain and France says shadow Home Secretary

Following news that more than 24,700 people have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the channel, almost three times the number in 2020, shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds has stated that this is a “shared problem” between France and Britain.

Speaking to BBC One’s “The Andrew Marr Show”, Thomas-Symonds also urged the government to work “with other countries too” to tackle the problem.

The shadow Home Secretary added, “[we need to] move beyond looking exclusively in terms of the coast and be willing to look at joint law enforcement [operations] on the routes that these vile people smugglers use”.

Asked whether the Labour government would agree to the free movement of people between the UK and Europe to increase the chance of a deal on asylum seekers, Thomas-Symonds confirmed “The next Labour government will not be reintroducing free movement”.