Channel migrant crisis 'serious and escalating problem', says PM as he defends Suella Braverman

Rishi Sunak said the Channel migrant crossings crisis is a "serious and escalating problem" as he admitted the Government is not processing enough asylum claims.

The Prime Minister said ministers had already taken "significant steps" to bolster control of the UK's borders as he told the House of Commons: "But this is a serious and escalating problem. We will make sure that we control our borders and we will always do it fairly and compassionately because that is the right thing."

Sir Keir Starmer claimed at PMQs that Mr Sunak "hasn't got a grip" on the issue and accused the Prime Minister of trying to "blame others, deflect, attack on something else".

The Labour leader asked Mr Sunak how many asylum claims had been processed for people who arrived in small boats last year and the PM replied: "Not enough is the answer, very straightforwardly, not enough, and that is what we are going to fix."

Mr Sunak told MPs that "people rightly want to see us getting a grip of migration and our borders".

Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: