So far this year more than 7,000 people have tried to cross the Channel in the hope of a better life in Britain.
Many of them are fleeing countries devastated by war and famine, others are trying to escape persecution or oppression.
For too long we have closed our eyes to what is happening. Vulnerable people are being exploited by traffickers and criminal gangs.
Such is the cruelty of this trade that they charge migrants extra for life jackets while cutting the prices for crossing in bad weather.
It should not have taken the deaths of four members of a Kurdish-Iranian family, including two children, to jolt the nation’s conscience.
Home Secretary Priti Patel’s response is to blame the French authorities. This should not be a moment for jingoistic point scoring.
We should be opening up safe routes so people can apply for asylum without having to risk their lives and the lives of their children.
How many more must die before the Government realises there is a better way?
Backlog grows
Beyond the Covid pandemic another national health crisis has been brewing.
Thousands of people with cancer are not getting the care they need.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, an estimated 50,000 people in the UK have a cancer which has not yet been diagnosed because of the coronavirus.
The backlog has been caused by the difficulty of getting a GP appointment and disruption to hospital services caused by the first wave of the virus. People with cancer must not become the forgotten victims of Covid.
The NHS is urging people to seek help if they have symptoms. But people want reassurance the health service is there for everyone, not just those with the virus.
Bearded Cloo
You may not recognise heart-throb George Clooney behind his bushy beard.
He looks a bit hair-raising at first sight but his new look is starting to grow on us.
