German media has ridiculed the UK over the arrival of 30,000 migrants on the country’s shores in small boats across the English Channel. Yesterday, it was confirmed that the milestone had been reached during the new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood’s third day in the post. The figure is a record for this point in the year. Now, the German newspaper Bild has suggested that “five years after leaving the EU, Britain faces the ruins of its migration policy”. Some 1,097 people arrived in the UK in 17 boats on Saturday, bringing the total in 2025 so far to 30,100.
The figure is 37% up on this point last year (22,028) and also 37% higher than at this stage in 2023 (21,918), according to PA news agency analysis. It is not just the number of refugees that is causing concern, Bild noted. It added that the UK has “lost control over legal migration”, and “society and infrastructure are groaning” under its weight.
The outlet also said: “Neither the healthcare system nor the housing market can keep pace with the sudden population explosion.”
Ministers are reportedly looking at using military bases to house asylum seekers in “temporary but adequate” accommodation as Sir Keir Starmer tries to get a grip on the migrant crisis.
Ms Mahmood pledged to go “further and faster” on dealing with the issue.
She also said the Government would look to bring forward proposals to change domestic legislation and guidance on how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is implemented in the UK, saying the “balance” between human rights and secure borders “isn’t in the right place at the moment”.
In addition, the Home Secretary said that other members of the ECHR were looking to Britain to play a “leading role” in reforming the convention, which entered into force in 1953.
She said: “Other countries are struggling with the challenges of mass migration, maintaining our borders, and I think that this is a useful time for us to have a refreshed conversation, and I’m confident we can make more progress.”
Moreover, Ms Mahmood suggested that the UK could suspend visas for countries that do not agree to returns deals for migrants.
