UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has raised concerns about the government’s inability to control illegal immigration, a situation that is eroding public trust. She cited the increasing number of irregular arrivals and stressed the need for international cooperation to resolve the crisis. According to a leaked speech, she will highlight the failure of the current government to manage the migration issue, which has become a major political concern. The UK has seen a record number of migrants arriving in small boats, with government data showing 49,000 irregular arrivals in the year ending June 2025, up 27% from the previous year.
Mahmood’s warning comes amid growing frustration over the government’s handling of the issue, with large demonstrations across Britain as part of the ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ protests. Protesters waved St. George’s and Union Jack flags, showing support for the UK’s position on immigration. Meanwhile, support for the anti-immigration Reform party, led by Nigel Farage, has risen to 35%, with Labour and the Conservatives trailing behind at 20% and 17% respectively. This shift in public sentiment reflects the growing frustration with the government’s ability to control borders and manage the migration crisis.
In response to the crisis, the government has taken some steps, including raising the English-language requirement for migrants from a GCSE to A-level. However, these measures have not yet stemmed the tide of illegal immigration. The situation is expected to worsen unless international cooperation is strengthened, particularly with countries in the Balkans, where the summit is planned to focus on curbing migrant flows to the UK. The debate over migration and national security is likely to remain a key issue in British politics in the coming months.