Sir Keir Starmer has been blasted for claiming immigration was “under control” despite record small boat crossings and public services being pushed to breaking point. The claim was made at a late-night briefing for Labour MPs in Westminster, where the embattled Prime Minister – languishing as the least popular PM in history – attempted to rally his backbenchers.
He promised beleaguered MPs that 2026 will be the year Britons see “change and renewal”, claiming the country was moving “in the right direction”. Sir Keir crowed that “immigration is firmly under control” in a speech which drew cheers and applause from his MPs. But critics branded the claims “deluded” and an “insult to the British public”.
Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf said Britons could “see record immigration, ongoing small boat crossings, and public services pushed to breaking point”, blasting: “This is not control – it is chaos and deception.” He said: “Reform UK will take back control of Britain’s borders, deport every single person that has arrived in the UK illegally and restore justice.”
The scathing attack came after the Prime Minister arrived eight minutes early for the evening meeting with his MPs, telling the media: “I don’t like to be late!” He then attempted to rally them with an upbeat assessment of the Government’s record.
Sir Keir said: “Britain will see change and renewal this year. Our country is moving in the right direction. Waiting lists are falling. Wages are rising faster than prices. Inflation is now under control and coming down – six interest rate cuts, a huge difference for families and businesses.”
He added: “Crime is falling. Immigration is firmly under control. Public services are looking up – we’re turning the page on austerity. We’re investing in new infrastructure the length and breadth of the country.”
The Prime Minister also insisted: “Because of the decisions we’ve made in the budget, unlike any of our opponents, we have a plan to support people directly with the cost of living. Which we all know is the biggest issue in the lives of working people right now.”
But the claims sparked fury from opposition parties, who point to ongoing small boat crossings, overstretched public services and persistently high legal migration
More than 41,000 migrants arrived by small boat last year alone under Labour’s watch.
The Prime Minister’s late-night briefing comes amid mounting pressure on Labour over its handling of immigration, the cost of living crisis and crumbling public services.
