The latest data released by the Home Office on irregular migration has revealed a decrease in the number of arrivals by small boats across the English Channel, with 81% of irregular arrivals arriving this way. The number of people waiting for an asylum decision has remained relatively stable compared to previous years, with a slight increase from the previous quarter. The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, has announced plans to reopen two immigration centers to achieve high removal rates.
In other news, new child benefit claims have increased, and GCSE results for 16-year-olds have remained consistent with previous years. Additionally, membership of the main political parties continues to decline, with Labour losing 37,000 members in 2023.
Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director has called for safe alternative routes for asylum seekers to reduce reliance on unsafe journeys and people-smugglers. The former Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has defended the Conservative government’s record on migration, highlighting a reduction in work visas and small boat arrivals.
There has been a widening gap in GCSE results between private and state schools, with almost half of private school entries achieving higher grades compared to state schools. Concerns about right-wing extremism have increased among Britons following anti-migrant riots, with public services and the economy remaining top concerns. Keir Starmer was perceived to have responded well to the unrest, while Nigel Farage did not.
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