Join EU migration pact to tackle small boats, says Ed Davey
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has proposed that the UK join the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact to better manage small boat crossings. The government maintains that current collaborative efforts with European partners are already reducing crossing numbers.
Why it matters
The proposal highlights ongoing political debate regarding the UK's post-Brexit relationship with EU migration frameworks and strategies for border security.
Image source, EPA By Kate Whannel Political reporter Published 24 minutes ago The UK should join the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact as a way of tackling small boat crossings across the Channel, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said.
The agreement, which came into force in June, aims to speed up the asylum process, increase the number of irregular migrants returned to their home countries and spread responsibility for asylum seekers across the EU.
Sir Ed argues that signing up to the pact would allow the UK to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered, thereby "destroying the business model" of the gangs behind the crossings.
Labour said the government's efforts to work with European countries to tackle small boat crossings were "bearing fruit".
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