LABOUR’S plan to stop small boat crossings is working, Andy Burnham has insisted despite a fresh influx.
The PM admitted there was more to do but pointed to a drop in numbers comp-ared with this time last year.
Some 13,007 migrants have made the perilous journey from France this year — down 45 per cent on 2025.
But the recent heatwave has seen a spike in crossings, with almost 900 leaving the beaches in Mr Burnham’s first week.
Responding to the latest crossings, he said: “The Home Secretary has brought forward a very rigorous plan in relation to this.
“And let’s remember, the numbers can fluctuate but overall boat crossings are down, down quite significantly year on year.
“So that does suggest that the plan is working.”
He wants illegal migrants to go through “all relevant and necessary checks” amid fears hostile states are smuggling in spies via Channel crossings.
Mr Burnham said: “The public wants to see control being exerted, and while we’ve made progress, there is more to do, and I recognise that completely.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has struck a new deal with French authorities to halt crossings from their beaches.
UK taxpayers have paid Paris over £1billion for help stopping the boats, with limited results.
Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: “We’ve seen well over 1,000 illegal immigrants cross in just the last few days.
“Shabana Mahmood’s deal is not working.
“I witnessed today the French doing nothing to stop a migrant boat and even helped by handing out lifejackets.
“The only thing protecting our borders is the weather.”