Summary
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer connected the increase in small boat crossings to Brexit, highlighting changes in EU agreements that previously helped return asylum seekers. Before Brexit, the UK sent back more migrants to EU countries than it received, but this trend reversed after the 2016 referendum. Reform UK disagrees with Starmer's claims, arguing that Brexit did not significantly change the UK's net position as an asylum seeker recipient.
Key Facts
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer linked Brexit to the rise in small boat crossings.
- Starmer referred to the Dublin III regulation, which allowed the return of some asylum seekers between countries.
- The UK formally left the Dublin regulation on January 1, 2021.
- Before Brexit, the UK returned more asylum seekers to the EU than it received.
- After the 2016 referendum, the number of arrivals started to exceed removals.
- Reform UK challenged Starmer's statements, calling them "misinformation."
- A pilot return scheme with France has resulted in only three people returned and three arriving.
- Many migrants choose the UK for family connections, language, and perceptions of tolerance.
