UK's migrant crisis: Andy Burnham vows to be 'relentless' on small boat crossings after Dover visit

Andy Burnham pledged to be 'relentless' in tackling Channel small-boat crossings during a Dover visit.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has a record 791 officers working on organised immigration crime, more than double the number at the start of 2025.

Burnham said enforcement must be combined with safe and legal routes to weaken the business model of people-smuggling gangs.

At least 13 people are believed to have died during Channel crossings so far in 2026, including four in a 24-hour period last week.