Feb 11, 2025 01:21 AM
Labour Party defends immigration crackdown amid far-right surge in polls
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/...ight-surge
INTRO: The 'blitz on illegal working' comes as Keir Starmer’s government faces mounting pressure from the increasingly popular Reform UK party. The British government has defended its decision to publish footage of immigration raids, as it seeks to stem the rising popularity of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.
The Home Office is set to release videos of deportations later on Monday, a move critics have denounced as insensitive. It comes as national polls show that Reform UK, a far-right party that is vehemently against immigration, is gaining on the incumbent Labour government.
Amid such political pressure, Labour has boasted that it has carried out a "blitz on illegal working". As part of the clampdown, the authorities have raided 5,000 raids businesses and made almost 4,000 arrests since Keir Starmer's party took office in July.
The government has also deported more than 16,000 individuals in the same period, surpassing figures recorded under the previous Conservative administration. Speaking on Monday morning, Home Office Minister Angela Eagle justified the government's actions.
“We have to have a system where the rules are respected and enforced,” she told the BBC. “It’s important that we show what we are doing and it’s important that we send messages to people who may have been sold lies about what will await them in the UK if they get themselves smuggled in,” she added.
The government argues that the perception of easy employment opportunities in Britain acts as a “dangerous draw” for migrants attempting the risky Channel crossings. Around 38,000 people reached the UK in small boats last year. More than 70 people died while attempting the crossing... (MORE - details)
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/...ight-surge
INTRO: The 'blitz on illegal working' comes as Keir Starmer’s government faces mounting pressure from the increasingly popular Reform UK party. The British government has defended its decision to publish footage of immigration raids, as it seeks to stem the rising popularity of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.
The Home Office is set to release videos of deportations later on Monday, a move critics have denounced as insensitive. It comes as national polls show that Reform UK, a far-right party that is vehemently against immigration, is gaining on the incumbent Labour government.
Amid such political pressure, Labour has boasted that it has carried out a "blitz on illegal working". As part of the clampdown, the authorities have raided 5,000 raids businesses and made almost 4,000 arrests since Keir Starmer's party took office in July.
The government has also deported more than 16,000 individuals in the same period, surpassing figures recorded under the previous Conservative administration. Speaking on Monday morning, Home Office Minister Angela Eagle justified the government's actions.
“We have to have a system where the rules are respected and enforced,” she told the BBC. “It’s important that we show what we are doing and it’s important that we send messages to people who may have been sold lies about what will await them in the UK if they get themselves smuggled in,” she added.
The government argues that the perception of easy employment opportunities in Britain acts as a “dangerous draw” for migrants attempting the risky Channel crossings. Around 38,000 people reached the UK in small boats last year. More than 70 people died while attempting the crossing... (MORE - details)