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Will social media bans cut illegal migration to the UK?

January 03, 2025

Riley Callanan

PA via Reuters Screen grab of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer appearing before the Liaison Committee at the Houses of Parliament in London.

Reuters

Teenagers who are thinking about smuggling migrants into the UK, be warned: The British government is planning to crack down on human traffickers by cutting suspects’ access to phones and social media. The government says removing these communication tools will help “dismantle organized immigration crime networks” and that similar approaches have helped reduce other serious offenses such as knife crime.

The news comes on the heels of a report from the Interior Ministry showing that the number of illegal crossings of the English Channel rose 25% in 2024 compared to 2023 (although still considerably below the peak in 2022). Sadly, it was also the deadliest year for migrants attempting to land in the UK, with at least 76 deaths.

A recent YouGov poll shows that immigration is tied with the economy as the issue British voters say the government is handling most poorly, with 71% ranking each “fairly badly” or “very badly,” putting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The PM canceled an admittedly rather quixotic Tory scheme to send migrants to Rwanda while their cases are processed but has struggled to replace the policy with his own plans to get tougher. That’s exposed Starmer to attacks from the far-right Reform UK party, and the government is eager to show progress.

We’re watching whether the communications disruptions ameliorate the problem, and how migration continues to reinforce right-wing parties in Europe.

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What Canada’s main parties are running on in upcoming election

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Canada’s 45th general election is less than two weeks away, and the nation faces a fraught political climate fueled by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and annexation threats towards the country. The election's outcome could have far-reaching impacts on Canada’s future and position in a fragmenting world. In an exclusive interview, GZERO’s Tasha Kheiriddin sits down with Eurasia Group‘s senior advisor John Baird and Vice Chairman Gerald Butts to unpack what’s at stake in Canada’s election, including key political players and the strategies behind their campaigns.

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Will social media bans cut illegal migration to the UK?

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Will social media bans cut illegal migration to the UK?

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