In his first speech of 2023 on Wednesday, British PM Rishi Sunak vowed to pass new laws to prevent small boats carrying illegal immigrants from entering the country. He added that those who arrive illegally would be detained and deported expeditiously.
On being questioned about the plan’s details, Sunak admitted that the issue of illegal migrant crossings was “not an easy problem to fix” and could not be done overnight. Nevertheless, he said the first step would be to pass a law to ensure that those who enter the country are not allowed to stay, and will instead be deported to their country of origin or another safe country.
Sunak said that he had already made progress in this regard, referring in particular to the agreement with France, through which patrolling had increased by 40%. The PM also said that a migration deal with Albania would further allow British authorities to send back illegal migrants, given that one-third of those who arrived in small boats were Albanian.
I am determined to tackle the immediate problems people face.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 4, 2023
I am determined to ensure this great country achieves its immense potential. pic.twitter.com/PdEGx8FTxL
Last year, 45,756 illegal migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats to enter the UK from France.
SUNAK’S “FIVE PLEDGES”
The promise to implement a law on curbing illegal immigration across the English Channel is part of Sunak’s “five pledges” to “deliver peace of mind” and reassure citizens that things are improving.
First, Sunak has vowed to cut inflation rates by half, thereby bringing down the cost of living and ensuring financial security. While delivering his speech, he said that his government had already made progress by providing $32 billion to support the cost of living.
The inflation rate in November surged to 10.7%. While this was slightly lower than the rate in October, inflation rates in the UK are the highest they have been in around four decades. In the last quarter, UK’s inflation in 2022 was 11.1%. This is due to a combination of factors, including the energy and food security crisis caused by the Ukraine war.
As your Prime Minister you need to know what my focus will be, so you can hold me to account directly on whether it is delivered.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) January 4, 2023
These are my five promises 👇 pic.twitter.com/XyXrlMshdG
Second, he said his government will create better jobs and opportunities by growing the economy.
Third, the British PM announced that his administration will work to reduce the national debt and, in turn, secure the future of public services.
Fourth, he reassured citizens that the National Health Services (NHS) waiting lists would shorten by March, allowing citizens to secure medical care more expeditiously. To this end, he said that the British government would increase the number of hospital beds, provide funds, and increase reliance on home care and social care to increase the availability of beds. Further, he addressed the ongoing NHS staff strikes in the UK, saying that the government values nurses like all its public sector workers and is seeking a “reasonable dialogue.”
Rishi Sunak tells a room full of stunned journalists that before the pandemic the NHS “was really improving” under the Conservative Government
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) January 5, 2023
Never underestimate just how thick this Government thinks we all are pic.twitter.com/Ta132SoXHX
Finally, he vowed to introduce a law to stop illegal migration via small boats, promising all potential illegal migrants that they would be “detained and swiftly removed.”
He said the five promises were in keeping with the “people’s priorities” and sought to “rebuild trust in politics.”
To this end, he called for a “change [in] the way [the] country works” to have stronger communities, safer streets, better education systems, and a healthcare system that works around patients.
In particular, he stressed the importance of an innovative economy, which he said would create jobs, increase wages, and reduce the cost of living. He said that the government would focus on energy security and clean energy by relying on science and technology change.
Accordingly, Sunak announced an increase in public funding of research and development to $24 billion, focusing on AI, life sciences, quantum mechanics, fintech, and green technology.