The cost of housing migrants in hotels could exceed £5 billion per year if the influx of boats crossing the English Channel is not halted, according to a think-tank's warning.
Backlog and Long-term Accommodation
Experts predict that the backlog of migrants awaiting processing could become a permanent issue, with thousands of people requiring long-term accommodation and support.
More than 130,000 migrants are awaiting processing, with this year's small boat arrivals exceeding 18,000. Several vessels, including those arriving in dense fog at Dungeness, Kent, contributed to this number.
Crisis Ahead of Upcoming Election
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has warned that the migrant crisis is set to escalate further before the next General Election, which must be held by January 2025.
The policy of flying asylum-seekers to Rwanda for processing is currently on hold, awaiting a court ruling on its legality.
Marley Morris, a representative from the IPPR, stated that even if the policy is approved and the Illegal Migration Act is fully implemented, it is likely that arrivals will still outpace removals. This would result in a growing population of people in a state of uncertainty, placing immense pressure on the Home Office's accommodation and support systems.
He further added that any incoming government would face a dire and increasingly costly challenge.
PM Rishi Sunak's Response
PM Rishi Sunak noted that small boat crossings have decreased compared to last year but emphasized the importance of halting them altogether.
While acknowledging that solving the problem will not be easy or immediate, Sunak expressed his determination to address the issue, listing it as one of his top five priorities.
