The British government is pinning hopes on a significant change in German legislation to help stem the flow of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. Ministers assert that the new measures, which criminalise the facilitation of migrant smuggling towards the UK, will directly target the logistical operations of people-smuggling gangs.
Targeting the Supply Chain
The law, agreed upon over a year ago, was formally passed by German legislators on Friday 19 December 2025. British officials state that a key impact will be to prevent criminal networks from using Germany as a storage hub. Gangs will no longer be able to store small boats or outboard engines in Germany before transporting them into northern France for final assembly and launch across the Channel.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the development, stating: "Together with our German allies, we are cracking down on the criminal gangs operating the illegal migration trade." She extended thanks to German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt for his country's strong cooperation. The government confirmed the law is set to come into force by the end of the year.
A Persistent Political Challenge
Illegal migration via small boats remains one of the most contentious issues in UK politics, symbolising broader public frustration with migration levels. Despite a recent 28-day period with no recorded crossings, hundreds of people made the journey last weekend, underscoring the ongoing challenge.
The first ten months of 2025 saw record numbers of crossings, though the total for the year has since fallen below the peak witnessed in 2022. Prime Minister Keir Starmer moved away from the previous administration's Rwanda deportation scheme, pledging instead to "smash the gangs" responsible. The continued crossings have provided political ammunition for opposition parties like the Conservatives and Reform.
Strengthening International Cooperation
Beyond disrupting storage, the UK government says the new German law will strengthen existing law enforcement cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two nations. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised the cross-border nature of the threat: "Criminal smuggler gangs operate across borders, so governments and law enforcement need to cooperate across borders to bring them down."
This sentiment was echoed by Adrian Matthews, Director of Intelligence at the National Crime Agency, who welcomed the legislative change. He noted it would "boost our efforts against the small boats threat" and build on the close working relationship with German partners, who are crucial for disrupting organised crime groups based on the continent.
The government's broader strategy, as outlined by the Home Secretary, involves "restoring order at our borders by scaling up removals and removing the incentives that draw people here illegally." However, critics, including the Green Party's Zack Polanski, continue to call for the creation of safe asylum routes to discourage dangerous clandestine journeys.
