Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil an additional £75 million in funding to address the challenge of people-smuggling gangs at the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, marking the first time the event has been held in the UK in over 50 years. This funding will increase the total budget for the UK’s new Border Security Command (BSC) to £150 million, aimed at enhancing technology, staffing, and enforcement capabilities.
Starmer, who plans to emphasize the urgent need for a coordinated approach to border security, stated, “I was elected to deliver security for the British people and strong borders are a part of that.” He is expected to advocate for a counter-terrorism strategy to combat organized immigration crime, criticizing the current situation where lives are lost in the Channel due to smuggling operations.
Key elements of the new initiative include hiring 300 additional BSC staff, enhancing the National Crime Agency’s capacity with 100 specialist investigators, and developing advanced data technology to assist in tracking trafficking networks. The Home Office will also allocate £24 million in the upcoming financial year to combat international organized crime.
Starmer’s announcement follows the recent crossing of over 5,000 individuals via small boats in October, prompting criticism from the Conservative Party, which argues that without effective deterrents, the measures will have little impact. Starmer has also previously canceled the controversial Rwanda deportation plan aimed at discouraging such crossings.
The Prime Minister’s focus on these issues highlights a significant shift in strategy as the UK seeks to enhance its collaboration with international law enforcement to tackle serious organized crime and improve public safety.