Tory minister squirms over immigration figures as migrants cross channel live on air

Tory minister Michael Tomlinson squirms over immigration figures as migrants cross channel live on airBBC Breakfast

Transcript

00:00Now we see hardly anyone from Albania coming across because they know it's not...

00:03Okay, I have to stop you there. I have to stop you right there when you're on those numbers

00:08because we know that the figures have increased significantly this year on people from all

00:13nations making the journey that we're seeing right now. Over 6,000 so far this year,

00:18significantly more than the same period last year. But I have to ask you again about deterrence

00:23because although the bill has now passed overnight, it has been the case that people crossing the

00:28channel for a year or so have known that they could be sent to Rwanda and yet what we're seeing

00:35right now on our screens this morning on BBC Breakfast is people still prepared to take that

00:40risk. They are not deterred. On the deterrent effect and on Albania, the numbers are down.

00:46I'm not just talking about Albania. Well, okay, on the deterrent effect,

00:49on Albania, the numbers are down. You said the numbers are up. Let me explain that and put that

00:53into context. Those coming from Albania, the numbers are down by more than 90%. Hardly anyone

00:59is getting on a small boat now from Albania because the deterrent effect has come in.

01:03We've seen pictures this morning, Mr Tomlinson, right now of people from Afghanistan,

01:08from South Sudan, from Eritrea boarding a boat this very morning at this moment to come to the UK.

01:16Even though they know your bill has passed, even though they know they could be sent to Rwanda,

01:20they are not deterred.