Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on Monday that the rising number of small boat crossings stems from Brexit, which he claims left the nation with weaker border control.
Crossings keep climbing because migrants understand that authorities cannot force returns the way they did previously, according to the Prime Minister.
"The reason the small boats crisis has arisen is because we can't return people, and people know we can't do that in the same way we used to be able to," he said on Monday.
Britain also lost access to deportation agreements and shared tracking systems upon leaving the European Union, he noted.
Data starting from January 2018 shows that over 200,000 migrants have arrived, with 2022 holding the yearly high at 45,774 arrivals.
The Prime Minister previously mentioned he hopes Britain rejoins the European bloc during his lifetime, though he stressed the public dictates its own future.
Reports indicate that the United Kingdom is currently discussing closer alignment options with the European Union, which could involve returning to free movement.
