[Tubby Isaacs]

This doesn't show me that the Government are behind public opinion at all. It shows me that they're susceptible to unscrupulous politicians like Davey and Streeting with this "Customs Union" bullshit. What red lines to Davey and Streeting want scrapped that Starmer insists on? I still don't know. As I say, it reminds me of the bullshit we got from Bozo that he'd get a better deal than May by being a bigger character. The EU isn't interested.

[The Weeping Angel]

I'd point out that initiatives such as lifting the 2-child benefit cap, implementing a child poverty strategy, expanding free school meals, and increasing the number of apprenticeships might also be considered social mobility strategies.

[The Weeping Angel]

Any reason apart from bad weather for the crossings reductions?
No point in boasting about a trend that you had no control over.

Sadly, it was the weather.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62d101y94wo

More than 800 migrants in 13 boats crossed the English Channel on Saturday, according to Home Office data.

The figure is a record for a December day in recent years, and is believed to be due to a backlog of people wanting to get across to Kent because of recent bad weather.

It takes the total for the year to 41,455 people, surpassing 2024, when there were 36,816 for the entire year.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better."

The 803 migrants were brought ashore at Dover by Border Force and RNLI vessels.

While the number of people making the dangerous journey across the Channel has risen more swiftly in 2025 than recent years, the yearly total has still not surpassed that of 2022, when 45,755 arrived.

The government statement added: "This Government is taking action. We have removed almost 50,000 people who were here illegally, and our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back."

Meanwhile, French authorities came to the assistance of several small boats attempting to make the crossing over the weekend. In a statement, external, the Maritime Prefecture of the English Channel and the North Sea said 151 people were rescued and taken back to France.