People smugglers reportedly face life sentences under plans drawn up by the UK government to tackle the number of small boats crossing from France.
Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to announce an increase in the maximum jail term from 14 years, The Times reported. Officials said further details would emerge in the coming weeks.
The planned move follows concerns that the average jail term for smugglers convicted of assisting illegal immigration is just three years. Officials want to target lower-level criminals, including those steering the boats, according to the newspaper.
“Whilst criminal gangs continue to put lives at risk it is right we consider every option to stop their exploitation of people,” said a Home Office spokesman.
UK law enforcement said the trade is lucrative for the gangs who can pack boats and charge between €3,500 ($4,224) and €5,000 per person for a crossing of little more than 20 miles.
The UK has struck a series of deals with France to try to stop people attempting the journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, but more than 8,000 people crossed into Britain from mainland Europe in 2020 in overloaded dinghies, the highest number on record.
Another 87 people crossed on Saturday, during the warmer weather, amid few indications of the numbers falling this year.
French authorities stopped two further crossings involving another 51 people.
Migrants and smugglers have turned to the sea route because of increased security at Channel ports in northern France, fears of stricter border controls after Brexit, and the reduced level of traffic crossing between the two countries during the coronavirus pandemic.
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
more from Janine di Giovanni
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
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