Eastbourne MP backs proposals to tackle people smugglers and criminal gangs amid ‘English Channel small boats crisis’

Caroline Ansell has supported a proposed amendment to the Online Safety Bill. It creates a criminal offence of intentionally sharing film or imagery that facilitates or promotes modern slavery or illegal immigration.

Mrs Ansell said more than 44,000 people crossed the Channel this year with some smugglers posting videos online.

She added: “Being able to limit how these criminals communicate could help us deter people from making the dangerous journey across the Channel in small boats.

“The content they post with impunity is brazenly encouraging immigrants into the UK. Anything that makes it more difficult for this to happen has my support.

“Everything must be looked at. These crossing have connections with very serious crime including modern slavery, the drugs trade and trafficking.”

Ministers agreed to look at changes to the bill at its next stages in Parliament, the MP said.

Mrs Ansell later added: “I’m very pleased to hear the Prime Minister is prepared to take tough action and work internationally to stop illegal boats crossing the Channel.

"So many people along the south coast and in Eastbourne are concerned for a variety of perfectly fair reasons about this complex issue. They are worried about the danger faced by those who put themselves at risk in this way; they recognise the impact on local services of such high, unplanned numbers; they count the cost to the public purse and know that the latest placements, to hotels in tourist areas, is entirely wrong. All of these important points I have previously raised with the minister and Home Office team.

“The Prime Minister was right to frame the new measures with what is fair. Fair on those who come legally, fair to genuine asylum seekers and fair to the British public who fund the protection and support we as a country provide.

“The five immediate measures from Rishi Sunak today (Wednesday, December 14) will help with some of those concerns. Accommodation sites to move people out of hotels will address very local concerns. A new permanent small boats operational command in the channel with 700 new staff, staff to clear the asylum backlog, tougher enforcement, British personnel in Albania, and Albanian officials in Kent are sound measures too.”

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