The UK has the largest population of illegal migrants in Europe, with an estimated 745,000 people living within the country without permission, according to a study by Oxford University. This figure means that over one in 100 people in the UK are living illegally, surpassing other European countries like France, with around 300,000 undocumented migrants, and Germany, with approximately 700,000.
The research comes amid a surge in migrant crossings, with 973 people arriving in the UK via small boats on Sunday alone, marking the highest daily figure of the year. So far in 2024, 26,612 migrants have made the dangerous journey across the English Channel, up from 25,330 by the same date last year.
The UK’s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a £75 million investment in border security, with a focus on tackling people-smuggling gangs. Meanwhile, opposition figures, including shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, have called for tougher measures to deter illegal crossings and address the growing numbers of undocumented migrants in the country.
The UK, along with other G7 nations, has also agreed on a new anti-smuggling action plan aimed at improving international cooperation, sharing intelligence, and targeting criminal smuggling networks. The plan emphasizes joint investigations and monitoring of social media platforms to prevent migrant smuggling and human trafficking.