DAVID LAMMY: 'Until today nobody has been using this powerful tool to degrade smuggling networks'

All over the world, irregular migration is soaring as factors like war and climate change drive people from their homes.

And all over the world, governments are looking for ways to stop the numbers surging. Any credible plan starts with more pressure on smugglers. They’re the ones risking vulnerable lives. They’re the ones raking in the profits.

In foreign policy, we often use sanctions to ramp up pressure on others. We’ve already seen how effective our sanctions have been in disrupting cyber crime and hitting Putin’s war chest.

But until today nobody has been using this powerful tool to degrade smuggling networks.

I said I would change that. And this week, I have. Britain is now the first country in the world to create a sanctions regime targeting those smuggling people and enabling irregular migration.

We imposed the first of these sanctions today. Targets woke up to find their names and activities exposed. Assets frozen. Bank accounts not working. Their ability to enter the UK over.

READ MORE: Gangs and people linked to people-smuggling named and shamed with new sanctions

And this is just the beginning. We are going to identify new targets. And now, when we identify someone plying this vile trade overseas with connections to Britain, we have another tool in our arsenal to do something about it.

We are pushing for others to follow our lead. I’ve already spoken to partners, in Europe and beyond, about introducing similar powers. There’s a lot of interest – others can see Britain is setting out a bold new approach.

Of course, sanctions alone are not enough. But we are also designing smarter interventions all along the global people-smuggling pathway.

Programmes in Africa, giving migrants an alternative to making dangerous journeys into Europe.

Supplying new kit and training in transit countries like Bulgaria or Kosovo, so we catch those shuttling people across Europe. A new agreement with Germany, so they can arrest the gang leaders organising this illicit flow of people.

And a new pilot returns agreement with France, so it becomes obvious the smugglers’ promise is a lie. No matter how much you pay, you don’t just get to stay in Britain.

This is how we stop criminal gangs lining their pockets from exploiting others. With innovative ideas. Proper partnership. And a plan. A plan to smash the gangs. A Plan for Change.

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