Burnham is accused of 'being out of touch' as fresh images of migrants heading for the UK surface - hours after he declared 'the plan is working' on stopping small boats

By DAVID BARRETT, HOME AFFAIRS EDITOR and GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT and FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:05, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 19:25, 28 July 2026 Andy Burnham was accused of 'being out of touch with reality' after migrants were seen clamouring to cross the UK just hours after the Prime Minister insisted 'the plan is working' on stopping small boat crossings. Dozens scrambled through the surf on Tuesday to board a traffickers' dinghy at Hardelot-Plage, south of Boulogne, while families with young children enjoyed the beach during the summer holidays. Later in the day, a heavily laden inflatable was seen crossing the Channel as French officials tossed lifejackets to migrants, despite Labour's claim that a deal signed with the French Government earlier this year would lead to more departures being stopped. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who was on the Channel observing migrant vessels during the day, said: 'We've seen well over 1,000 illegal immigrants cross in just the last few days. 'Shabana Mahmood's deal with the French is not working – I witnessed with my own eyes today the French doing nothing to stop a migrant boat and even helped by handing out lifejackets. 'The only thing protecting our borders is the weather. 'We are now seeing mega dinghies - 'Burnham Boats' - with over 150 migrants on board. 'By saying there's no problem Andy Burnham is showing he is out of touch with reality - a reality I have just witnessed on the Channel with my own eyes.' Andy Burnham was accused of 'being out of touch with reality' after migrants were seen clamouring to cross the UK just hours after the Prime Minister insisted 'the plan is working' Dozens scrambled through the surf on Tuesday to board a traffickers' dinghy at Hardelot-Plage, south of Boulogne Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been criticised for his silence on illegal migration  He added: 'Leaving the European Convention on Human Rights so that illegal immigrants can be deported within a week of arrival is the only way to deter these dangerous crossings.' Mr Philp's damning comments came only hours after the Prime Minister claimed the 'very rigorous' approach of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood was bringing down the number of illegal entries to Britain. He added that small-boat crossings are 'down quite significantly' compared to last year, but admitted 'there is much more to do.'  But latest Home Office statistics show some 881 migrants arrived in the UK on small boats in the first week of Mr Burnham's premiership. They arrived in a total of 13 vessels, with one 'mega-dinghy' on Thursday carrying a record 165 migrants across the Channel. Mr Burnham has been criticised for his silence on illegal migration since he became PM on July 20, with the premier having failed to mention his plans for dealing with the crisis during several public appearances. He instead focused on his commitments to lower household energy bills, cap bus fares and unveiling his 'No 10 North' site in Manchester – branded a 'gimmick' by critics – during his first days in power. Downing Street said the PM's second week in power will see him 'start the task of fixing some of the most difficult issues facing the country'.  But these are only expected to include interventions on youth unemployment, social care, defence spending and economic growth. During a visit to Derby on Tuesday morning, Mr Burnham was quizzed about his silence on the small-boats crisis and asked whether he had a plan to tackle illegal crossings. In reply he defended the Government's approach, telling reporters: 'The Home Secretary has brought forward a very rigorous plan in relation to this. 'Let's remember, the numbers can fluctuate, but overall, boat crossings are down, down quite significantly year on year. So that does suggest that the plan is working.' Asked if he recognised that small-boat crossings may represent a 'threat to national security,' Mr Burnham said he wanted 'all relevant and necessary checks' to be completed.  Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. He added: 'There have to be rigorous checks so that people are not put through into a situation where they are out without the relevant safeguards. 'And absolutely, I can give you a commitment that that is the clear instruction that I am giving. That all relevant and necessary checks must be done. 'It's about getting a grip on the entire situation. I raised this repeatedly through the Makerfield by-election. 'The public wants to see control being exerted, and while we've made progress, there is more to do, and I recognise that completely. 'But the trend is down, and the number of people being removed is up, so the figures are pointing in a better direction. But there is much more to do.' An analysis of Government data shows 77,183 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during Sir Keir's premiership, after Labour's general election victory in July 2024. According to Home Office figures, 13,350 arrivals have been recorded this year. This is 45 per cent lower than the number recorded by this time last year and down 16 per cent on the same period in 2024.