DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Sticking plasters won't fix the Channel crisis

Such was the outcry when 92 migrants landed on Britain's beaches in December 2018 that the then home secretary Sajid Javid flew back from his Christmas holiday to declare an emergency.

Today, it's not unusual for ten times that number to cross the Channel in a single day.

The Government has repeatedly promised to stem the tide of small boats. But so far nothing has worked. This year alone, an astronomical 40,000 migrants have made the treacherous trip.

Suella Braverman insists she's not throwing good money after bad by bunging France another £63million to police their own borders. Pictured with the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin

Suella Braverman insists she's not throwing good money after bad by bunging France another £63million to police their own borders. Pictured with the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin

Whatever the Left says, most are clearly not genuine refugees. They are overwhelmingly young men lured by this country's generous benefits system and the prospect of work in the black economy.

Suella Braverman insists she's not throwing good money after bad by bunging France another £63million to police their own borders. But it's not immediately clear how much of a difference the Home Secretary's immigration deal will make.

Yes, it's a step forward to have more French officers patrolling the coast (observed by British officials), while extra drones, dogs and CCTV will be deployed to help disrupt the trafficking gangs.

On its own, though, it's a long way off the decisive action voters crave.

The best way to beat the evil smuggling gangs would be for every single Channel migrant to be returned to France. But President Macron refuses to agree.

Today, it's not unusual for ten times the number of migrants who arrived in December 2018 to cross the Channel in a single day

Today, it's not unusual for ten times the number of migrants who arrived in December 2018 to cross the Channel in a single day

Sending arrivals to Rwanda would be a powerful disincentive. That scheme, though, is jammed in the European courts. Or the Government could rewrite human rights and modern slavery legislation, which are exploited by an army of activist lawyers to thwart deportations.

Labour indignantly opposes every effort to tackle the crisis, but offers no credible alternative beyond letting everyone in. As a result, the asylum system is creaking.

Britain is proud to provide a safe haven for those genuinely in fear of persecution. But voters want strict border controls enforced. At present, they've got a shameful immigration free-for-all.

 

Don't desert patients

The news that fewer than half of NHS trusts expect to meet key targets on cancer and clearing the Covid backlog this winter is deeply worrying.

This will come as a body blow to patients waiting anxiously, and often in pain, for operations and treatment.

Given this potential for human misery, can the Royal College of Nursing really justify making things worse by going on strike in search of a 17 per cent pay rise?

It would be a tragedy if nurses abandoned their patients. They are supposed to be compassionate professionals and their first duty is meant to be care.

 

Sweeten Budget pill

We've heard lots about the bitter economic medicine the British public will have to swallow after Thursday's Budget.

We urge Chancellor Jeremy Hunt not to forget to sweeten the pills. Yes, he wants to put the nation's finances back on a sustainable footing. But raising taxes too far risks stifling growth

We urge Chancellor Jeremy Hunt not to forget to sweeten the pills. Yes, he wants to put the nation's finances back on a sustainable footing. But raising taxes too far risks stifling growth

But we urge Chancellor Jeremy Hunt not to forget to sweeten the pills. Yes, he wants to put the nation's finances back on a sustainable footing. But raising taxes too far risks stifling growth.

The Mail is pleased, though, that Rishi Sunak has signalled his commitment to the pensions triple lock. There could be nothing crueller than leaving elderly households at the mercy of inflation.

 
  •  Losing a beloved mother is difficult under any circumstances. For the King it must have been especially so. His grief over Queen Elizabeth's death came in tandem with the challenge of becoming monarch. Despite this, he has taken to his new role like a duck to water – faultless in his public duties, compassionate and statesmanlike. Yesterday, he celebrated his 74th birthday. We wish him the very best of health and happiness. Long may he reign.

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