Chinese companies that make the engines made on small boats could be among those targeted with financial penalties over a new Labour sanctions regime.
The sanctions will allow ministers to freeze the bank accounts, property and other assets of trafficking gangsters, including those responsible for sending tens of thousands of migrants across the Channel.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy today revealed that officials would also go after the suppliers of people smuggling networks, including Chinese companies that make the engines they use for their boats.
‘What I’m announcing this morning and today is a new sanctions regime,’ he told Times Radio.
‘Let’s go after the manufacturers of those engines, many of whom are in China. Let’s deal with the organised criminals who are not just trafficking people, but they traffic guns and other things.
‘Let’s go after them and their bank accounts, freeze their bank accounts, freeze their assets, as we’ve been able to do with oligarchs, kleptocrats and others seeking, particularly to pursue this war in Ukraine.
‘So this is a new tool that I am using, and it’s to cripple people smuggling people across our country.’
Sturdier, rigid-hulled vessels with proper engines have almost entirely been phased out by people smugglers in favour of bigger, flimsier craft with one small outboard engine.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy today revealed that officials would also go after the suppliers of people smuggling networks
A packed inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 migrants crosses the English Channel last year
This is partly a response to police efforts to reduce the supply of boats reaching the traffickers.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, previously revealed that his officers had begun conversations with China about exports of small engines and dinghies that would likely be used in Channel crossings.
Mr Lammy said sanctions were ‘not the whole solution’ to stopping boat crossings, but could be a ‘significant part of the solution’.
He told Sky News that there could be ‘sadly leaders in countries who are behind this’.
‘You can freeze their bank accounts, you can deploy travel bans, you combine with other partners, particularly European allies, the United States and others. This is the first set of designations using migration specifically.
‘Of course it’s not the whole solution, but I think it can be a significant part of the solution particularly for the value and supply chains that people are using as a means to get people across borders.’
Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the measures in an article today for the Daily Mail, in which he said that the new laws will allow human traffickers to be treated ‘like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats’.
Describing the measures as a ‘world first’, Sir Keir said: ‘My pledge to Mail readers is this – we’re going to hit them where it hurts. Today we are announcing a new sanctions regime, the first of its kind anywhere in the world.
‘We’re going to treat people smugglers like terrorists, cyber criminals and corrupt kleptocrats. We’ll freeze their assets, ban their travel and work with allies to put them behind bars.’
People smugglers advertising their services on TikTok
Amanj Hasan Zada (right) 33, was jailed for 17 years after a YouTube video showed him firing a gun while celebrating bringing seven illegal immigrants to Britain
Both Khan, 55, of Feltham (left) and Rashied, 58, from Southall (right) were sentenced to a combined total of 10 years and 6 months in prison for conspiring to facilitate illegal entry into the UK
He added: ‘My message to those criminals who still think they can breach our borders is this. There is nowhere to hide. We’re coming after you.’
After the Conservatives repeatedly attacked Labour for scrapping the Rwanda asylum deal – which was designed to deter Channel crossings – the PM suggests his new measures will also act as a deterrent. He insisted the moves will put traffickers ‘out of business’.
It remains unclear, however, whether trafficking gangs – largely based abroad – have significant cash and assets in Britain.
Labour’s new measures, which are expected to be in force by the end of the year, will be able to freeze assets only here in the UK.
The number of individuals and companies which could be targeted is not yet known, and they may be able to move money abroad before the new strategy comes into force.
British-based individuals and companies who fail to comply could face ‘strict penalties’, including criminal prosecution.
Existing sanctions – for example, those imposed on Russian politicians and oligarchs – carry a maximum seven years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to £1million for anyone found dealing with them.
The measures will be brought in through secondary legislation rather than an Act of Parliament.
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Separately, new asylum and border security laws are due to be unveiled by Labour later this year.
In November Sir Keir said he would seek a renegotiation of Britain’s Brexit deal with Brussels in a bid to tackle the Channel crisis. The PM said he wanted to reinstate the UK’s ability to lead investigations into people trafficking – and other crimes – on the Continent.
It opened the prospect of a major change to Britain’s relationship with the bloc – prompting questions about what Brussels may demand in return.
Some 36,816 people made the journey in 2024, up from 29,437 the year before.
The total is down 20% on the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022, however.
