A minister has expressed his “frustration” at seeing French authorities standing by while hundreds of migrants set off for UK amid speculation that up to 50,000 people are expected to make the crossing this year.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the government wants to see “French police take more action” in attempting to stop people embarking on the journey to the UK.
Some 1,195 migrants arrived in 19 boats on Saturday - the highest daily total for the year so far, according to Home Office figures.
It took the total number of crossings so far this year to 14,811 people - 42% higher than this time last year.
It is understood French officers prevented a further ten boats from entering the water. But French authorities only rescued 184 migrants from the Channel on Saturday, despite agreeing to amend laws earlier this year that would allow officers to intercept boats in shallow waters.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard told LBC Radio on Monday: “We absolutely have to defend our borders from state threats and that is what the defence review sets out.
“But we also have to secure our borders and that is why Parliament is passing legislation to bring in anti-terror style powers to smash the [people trafficking] gangs...it’s the reason why we have signed a deal with France that will be activated shortly that will enable and require the French to pluck people out of the water, something that is not happening at the moment.
“And I share your listeners’ frustrations when they saw those images at the weekend.
“We want to see the French police take more action...that is what this agreement provides for.”
Using data on weather and sea conditions, government policies and statistics on illegal immigration into the EU, scientist Dr Richard Wood predicts that between 45,000 and 50,000 people will make the crossing this year.
His modelling, based on data from 2020 to 2024, has already accurately correctly forecast the number of people making the journey this year, the Telegraph reported.
Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday that ministers have a duty to ensure no one is crossing the English Channel in small boats.
As he made a major defence speech in Glasgow, the Prime Minister was asked if the Government was failing to keep the UK safe in the English Channel.
He replied: "In relation to border security, I want to be really clear: nobody should be making that journey across the Channel and it's our duty to make sure that we ensure that they don't.
"We are working very closely with our counterparts in France and elsewhere to take further action in northern France, and of course, we are giving enhanced powers to our own law enforcement through the Borders Bill, which is currently going through Parliament."
Speaking about the previous Government's plan to send some migrants to Rwanda, Sir Keir insisted it "didn't deter anybody".
He added: "I'm not up for gimmicks. I'm up for the hard work of working with partners, enhancing the powers that law enforcement have, in my determination to take down the gangs that are running this vile trade."
Defence Secretary John Healey said the scenes in the Channel on Saturday were “shocking” and showed Britain had “lost control of its borders”.
However, he has rejected suggestions from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage that the government should use the Royal Navy to stop the boats crossing and return migrants to France.
