Sir Keir Starmer has convened a landmark international summit in London aimed at cracking down on people-smuggling networks, calling for coordinated global action to combat the escalating crisis.
The Prime Minister opened the high-profile gathering by urging nations to adopt the same strategies used to fight terrorism when tackling organised immigration crime.
Addressing representatives from key countries including Albania, Iraq, Vietnam, the US, China, and France, Starmer said the international community must ‘combine our resources’ and ‘share intelligence’ to address the issue ‘upstream’.
Social media giants TikTok, Meta, and X were also present, with officials attending sessions focused on curbing the digital spread of people-smuggling advertisements.
The summit comes amid a sharp rise in illegal crossings, with more than 1,100 individuals arriving via small boats across the English Channel in the past week alone – marking a record-breaking start to the year.
PM Calls for Terrorism-Level Response
In his opening address, Starmer expressed frustration at the crisis: “It makes people angry – it makes me angry.”
Recalling his time as Director of Public Prosecutions, he highlighted past efforts to trace terrorists across international borders, stating: “I believe we should treat organised immigration crime in the same way.”
“I simply do not believe organised immigration crime cannot be tackled. We’ve got to combine our resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream at every step of the people-smuggling routes.”
Focus Areas: Supply Chains, Finances and Digital Platforms
The summit will feature joint discussions among political leaders, law enforcement agencies, and tech industry figures. Core topics include:
- Disrupting smuggling supply routes
- Targeting the financial structures of criminal networks
- Tackling online promotion of illegal migration services
New Law to Target Illegal Employment
During his speech, the Prime Minister also introduced a new legislative measure aimed at gig economy employers. The proposed law will make it mandatory for companies to conduct right-to-work checks, with harsh penalties for non-compliance:
- Company closure
- Substantial fines
- Possible prison sentences for repeat offenders
New CPS Unit with £33 Million Backing
According to reports from The Times, discussions are expected to include the launch of a new international unit within the Crown Prosecution Service, backed by £33 million in funding, to support efforts in tackling cross-border immigration crime.
The Home Office has stated the summit is designed to yield ‘concrete outcomes’ on a global scale.
Political Backlash and Criticism
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp responded critically, suggesting the Labour government is replicating previous Conservative policies: “We welcome Labour copying and pasting the work that the last Conservative government on those working illegally, but the Home Secretary has her head stuck in the sand about the extent of the challenge on illegal immigration”.
“Crossings are up 31% since the election with 2025 the worst year on record. This is the clear impact of cancelling the deterrent and Labour’s open-door policy to illegal migration. The crisis requires clear deliverable action.”
