• 8 months ago
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.

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