HOME Office officials splashed out £100,000 on fast food and supplies for the record breaking migrants crossing the Channel last year. Over 28,000 people made the perilous journey in 2021, immigration staff splurged cash on Domino’s Pizza, Subway sandwiches and local takeaways when the Tug Haven processing centre in Dover became swamped. Over £50,000 was […]
HOME Office officials splashed out £100,000 on fast food and supplies for the record breaking migrants crossing the Channel last year.
Over 28,000 people made the perilous journey in 2021, immigration staff splurged cash on Domino’s Pizza, Subway sandwiches and local takeaways when the Tug Haven processing centre in Dover became swamped.
Over £50,000 was spent on food from May 2021, while another £49,000 was spent on clothes and sun-hats for new arrivals.
A record-breaking 28,381 people made the perilous journey in 2021 – dwarfing the 8,410 who made the same treacherous trip last year.
They came in at least 1,020 boats which were intercepted by UK authorities in the last 12 months.
It means an average of around 78 migrants arrived in three boats every day.
By far the busiest month came in November when a staggering 6,869 arrived in 201 boats.
And even 67 people arrived on Christmas Day, on two boats.
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said: “Some 28,500 migrants arrived across the English Channel in 2021. This is not only unacceptable, it is eye-wateringly expensive.
“These costs are just a small part of the total. Housing and other costs are so much more. It’s not right that taxpayers will be footing the bill this year, and for years to come in assessing claims, emergency housing and more besides.
“Hardworking taxpayers deserve a better deal. This money would be better spent strengthening our borders.
“It’s high time to stop the small boat crossings – by stopping the boats leaving in the first place, turning boats back to France and making swift returns.
“People are already safe in France, there is no reason to be making this dangerous journey in the hands of people smugglers.”
