Why do Channel migrants want to come to the UK?

"The UK is paying France hundreds of millions of pounds to stop the boats leaving the French coast but, so far this year, the numbers of migrants arriving in the UK this way - most of whom go on to claim asylum - have reached record levels. France has claimed that one factor attracting them is the ability to "work without papers" in the UK economy."

"The French government has argued that asylum seekers come to the UK because they believe they will be able to work in its informal economy - where tax is not paid and people are employed without legal status and proper documentation. Estimating the size of the informal economy is not simple for obvious reasons. Nevertheless, one recent study from researchers at the European Parliament, suggests the size of the UK's was about 11% of the total economy in 2022."

"By its nature the UK's informal economy provides potential opportunities for asylum seekers - and other irregular migrants - to work illegally - and the UK government has accepted the need for more enforcement in this area. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described this as a potential "pull factor" earlier this week. The Home Office has increased the number of visits to employers suspected of hiring unauthorised workers."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed new and innovative solutions are needed to tackle small boat crossings. The UK is paying France hundreds of millions of pounds to stop boats leaving the French coast, yet migrant crossings this year have reached record levels with most claiming asylum. France says one attraction is the ability to "work without papers" in the UK informal economy. A European Parliament study estimated the UK's informal economy at about 11% of GDP in 2022, lower than France's 14% and a 31-country average of 17%. The Home Office has increased employer visits and enforcement against unauthorised work.

Read at www.bbc.com