Keir Starmer today vows to ‘hit people smugglers where it hurts’ with tough new financial sanctions.
Writing exclusively for the Daily Mail, the Prime Minister reveals that new laws will allow human traffickers to be treated ‘like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats’.
A new regime of sanctions will allow ministers to freeze the bank accounts, property and other assets of trafficking gangsters, including those responsible for sending tens of thousands of small-boat migrants across the Channel.
Traffickers will be publicly named for the first time so that financial institutions and other companies know it is illegal to deal with them.
Describing the measures as a ‘world first’, Sir Keir says: ‘My pledge to Mail readers is this – we’re going to hit them where it hurts. Today we are announcing a new sanctions regime, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
‘We’re going to treat people smugglers like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats. We’ll freeze their assets, ban their travel and work with allies to put them behind bars.’
He adds: ‘My message to those criminals who still think they can breach our borders is this. There is nowhere to hide. We’re coming after you.’
After the Conservatives repeatedly attacked Labour for scrapping the Rwanda asylum deal – which was designed to deter Channel crossings – the PM suggests his new measures will also act as a deterrent. He insists the moves will put traffickers ‘out of business’.
Keir Starmer (pictured) today vows to ‘hit people smugglers where it hurts’ with tough new financial sanctions
People smugglers advertise their services on Tik Tok
Amanj Hasan Zada (right) 33, was jailed for 17 years after a YouTube video showed him firing a gun while celebrating bringing seven illegal immigrants to Britain
Both Khan, 55, of Feltham (left) and Rashied, 58, from Southall (right) were sentenced to a combined total of 10 years and 6 months in prison for conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK
It remains unclear, however, whether trafficking gangs – largely based abroad – have significant cash and assets in Britain.
Labour’s new measures, which are expected to be in force by the end of the year, will be able to freeze assets only here in the UK.
The number of individuals and companies which could be targeted is not yet known, and they may be able to move money abroad before the new strategy comes into force.
British-based individuals and companies who fail to comply could face ‘strict penalties’, including criminal prosecution.
Existing sanctions – for example, those imposed on Russian politicians and oligarchs – carry a maximum seven years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to £1million for anyone found dealing with them.
The measures will be brought in through secondary legislation rather than an Act of Parliament.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy is due to unveil further details of the scheme in a speech later today. The Foreign Office described them as ‘the world’s first stand-alone sanctions regime dedicated to targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime’.
Mr Lammy 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.’
Newly-released figures showed nearly 37,000 migrants arrived on small boats last year
Images showed dozens of migrants being picked up at sea by Border Force and arriving in Dover aboard a patrol vessel
The first migrants of 2025 have been intercepted by officials trying to cross the Channel
Measures will be drawn up by ‘sanctions experts from across government’ alongside the police, officials said.
Tory foreign affairs spokesman Dame Priti Patel said: ‘Labour has no credibility on dealing with the evil trade in people smuggling.
‘In Parliament they voted against tougher punishments and life sentences for people smugglers, abolished the Rwanda deterrent and campaigned in favour of the rights of dangerous criminals and foreign national offenders, over the safety of the British people.’
Separately, new asylum and border security laws are due to be unveiled by Labour later this year.
In November Sir Keir said he would seek a renegotiation of Britain’s Brexit deal with Brussels in a bid to tackle the Channel crisis. The PM said he wanted to reinstate the UK’s ability to lead investigations into people trafficking – and other crimes – on the Continent.
It opened the prospect of a major change to Britain’s relationship with the bloc – prompting questions about what Brussels may demand in return.