UK to introduce ‘world first’ sanctions regime to target people smugglers

A “world first” sanctions regime which specifically targets people smugglers will be introduced by the government this year, David Lammy will announce.

The foreign secretary will confirm the measure in a speech on Thursday, saying it is part of Labour’s plan to reduce Channel crossings by targeting criminal networks organising the journeys.

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It is not clear what the sanctions could look like, but the government said it would starve smuggling gangs of “illicit finance fuelling their operations”.

If it works like other sanction regimes, this could mean asset freezes on those suspected of people smuggling, with breaches of the measures punishable by up to seven years in prison.

It comes on top of recently announced plans for travel bans and social media blackouts on people thought to be linked to organised immigration crime.

Further details of the latest measure will be set out by Mr Lammy on Thursday morning.

In a statement ahead of the speech, the foreign secretary said: “I’m proud to announce that the UK is set to be the first country in the world to develop legislation for a new sanctions regime specifically targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime.

“This will help to prevent, combat, deter and disrupt irregular migration and the smuggling of migrants into the UK.”

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The UK already has various sanction regimes, such as those aimed at targeting Russians linked to the war in Ukraine.

Sanction experts from across government will work with law enforcement and the Home Office to deliver the new scheme, which will come into place this year, the Foreign Office said.

It will be an autonomous UK scheme, but the government will continue to work with international allies to combat people smugglers, the department added.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is due to meet French President Emmanuel Macron later on Thursday, called it a “bold and innovative” policy “to ensure we are leaving no stone unturned”.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: “With these new sanctions, we will target those profiting off putting lives at risk and disrupt the gangs’ finances, making it harder for them to operate.”

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Dismantling people smuggling gangs and international cooperation has been at the centre of Labour’s plans to reduce small boat crossings.

Sir Keir is under pressure after cancelling the Tories’ stalled Rwanda deportation scheme and diverting a bulk of the money towards a new Border Security Command (BSC).

The BSC is backed by £150m in funding, which will be spent on new technology and more intelligence officers to crack down on networks facilitating migrants crossing the Channel.

More than 36,000 people made the dangerous journey in 2024 – up 25% on 2023.

This includes more than 20,000 people since Labour came to power in July – which party sources have blamed on good weather over the summer.

But critics say Labour’s plan lacks a deterrent.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel accused the government of having “no credibility” in dealing with people smuggling, as she hit out at ministers for abolishing the Rwanda plan.

“The last Conservative government legislated to tackle illegal migration and worked with international partners to bring criminals to face justice, disrupt their activities and secure arrests, prosecutions and convictions,” she added.