Global coalition to tackle migrant smuggling gangs

RISHI Sunak says an international coalition will crack down on migrant smuggling gangs and help end the small boat crisis.

- Martyn Brown

The Prime Minister told how the leaders of the world's seven richest nations have agreed for the first time to take tough action to tackle what is now a global emergency.

He was speaking at the end of a successful G7 summit in Italy, which also led to a massive £40billion boost for Ukraine and tough new sanctions for Russia.

The PM and Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni led the talks on immigration on the last day of the two-day summit. Stopping the boats has become a central pillar for both of them in their pitches to voters.

More than 145,000 people have reached Italy by sea so far this year, a sharp increase on the 88,000 at the same time last year. In the UK, around 28,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, compared with 11,500 in the first six months of 2023.