No 'Firm Date' for Target, Says Sunak

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has stated that he will not rest until he stops the influx of migrant boats crossing the English Channel. However, he admitted that there is currently no "firm date" for achieving this goal.

Deterrents Need Time to Work

Sunak emphasized the need to give deterrent measures, such as the recent agreement with Rwanda, time to take effect. He believes that these efforts will eventually lead to a significant reduction in the number of crossings.

Crossings Show a Decrease, but Target Not Yet Reached

Recent figures reveal that there has been a 33% reduction in migrant crossings since the Prime Minister made his commitment earlier this year. However, the number of crossings still remains high, with nearly 30,000 recorded.

Speech on Migration Delayed

Due to a missed target in reducing the asylum backlog, Sunak has been forced to postpone a major speech on migration. The Bibby Stockholm barge, designated to house migrants, remains only half full, and plans to utilize MoD bases for this purpose have been put on hold until individuals are moved out of hotels.

Confidence in New Legislation

Speaking before the Liason Committee, Sunak expressed his "high confidence" in the effectiveness of new legislation to expedite the deportation of asylum seekers. However, he did not confirm any specific deals with other countries, stating that the government is open to further discussions.