New Home Secretary grapples with ongoing migrant crisis
Migrant crossings have passed 30,000 this year, with over 1,000 people arriving in the UK on Shabana Mahmood’s first day as Home Secretary.
Mahmood has signalled a tougher stance on illegal migration, warning that the UK could suspend visas from countries that refuse to take back their nationals.
Speaking in her first days in the role, Mahmood said she was prepared to do “whatever it takes” to curb small boat crossings, which have already topped 30,000 this year — the highest on record for this stage. She described the scale of arrivals as “utterly unacceptable” and confirmed she had been discussing coordinated action with Britain’s “Five Eyes” intelligence partners, including the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Mahmood said that if countries failed to cooperate on returns, visa restrictions would be considered: “If one of your citizens has no right to be in the UK, you need to take them back.”
The comments come as the government faces growing political pressure over migration, with Nigel Farage’s Reform party seeking to exploit the issue. The Home Secretary is also drawing up plans to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers, with military bases being assessed as alternative accommodation.
Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed the government is considering using military sites to accommodate asylum seekers, following a surge in Channel crossings.
Speaking to Sky News, Healey said both military and non-military locations are being reviewed as temporary housing options, after 1,097 people arrived in small boats on Saturday alone. He stressed the move is being explored with the Home Office as part of efforts to restore public confidence in border control.
Two former bases — MDP Wethersfield in Essex and Napier Barracks in Kent — are already in use for asylum seekers, though conditions have drawn criticism.
The Home Office said crossings reached more than 29,000 so far this year, the highest on record for this stage, despite a lull in August. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has pledged to take a “strong approach,” vowing that new agreements with France will allow for faster detention and removals.
The government faces continued pressure after scrapping the previous administration’s Rwanda plan and closing the Bibby Stockholm barge, while protests over housing asylum seekers in hotels have intensified.
Left-leaning publications maintain a sympathetic stance, while publications that lean further to the right express frustration and stronger anti-immigrant sentiment coupled with strong Labour criticism.
Unless otherwise linked, headlines are front pages on 08/09/25
‘They just want a better life’: the UK households who host asylum seekers
1,097 arrivals in boats on new home secretary’s first day:
Shabana Mahmood says gangs are ‘wreaking havoc’ as crossings this year pass 30,000
Daily Express
Small-boat crossings surpass 30,000 in record time as Mahmood takes charge
Migrants hotel closures to be fast-tracked as Starmer faces Labour unrest
The i Paper
Shabana Mahmood plans visa curbs if countries won’t take back migrants
New Channel migrant record on Home Secretary’s first day in job:
30,000 reasons why Labour won’t stop the boats
Daily Mail
‘Labour isn’t listening!’ Migrant crisis sparks fiery GB News row as 1,000 more cross in small boats
Why Shabana Mahmood’s appointment could mean harder line on immigration
