New law in UK

A new law aimed at cracking down on migrants arriving in the UK on small boats from Europe across the Channel will be unveiled on Tuesday, with a senior minister saying "we've had enough," the Sun on Sunday newspaper reported.

The British government has promised to step up action to tackle the problem after the number of people making the dangerous crossing rose to more than 45,000 last year.

The paper said the proposed new legislation would mean all those arriving in small boats would be deemed unacceptable and removed to a "safe third country" as soon as possible.

"Enough is enough. The British people want this resolved," Home Secretary Suella Braverman told the paper. The number of migrants arriving on the English coast has more than doubled in the past two years and tackling the problem was one of five key priorities outlined in January by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose party is failing in the polls, under pressure from his own lawmakers to find a solution.

Last year, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to send tens of thousands of migrants, many from Afghanistan, Syria or other war-torn countries, over 4,000 miles (6,400km) to Rwanda.

But the first planned deportation flight was blocked in June by a last-minute injunction issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and the legality of the strategy was subsequently challenged in London's High Court.

The London High Court subsequently ruled it legal in December, but opponents are trying to appeal against the verdict. The legal battle is expected to end in the UK Supreme Court and therefore may not be resolved for several months.

The policy has been condemned by human rights groups and reportedly even by King Charles.

Sunak agreed with France last November to step up efforts to combat illegal immigration, and is due to travel to Paris this week for a bilateral meeting when the issue will be the main topic of discussion.