Britain plans new sanctions laws to target people-smuggling gangs

9/1/2025 17:01

Britain will create a new sanctions regime to target the leaders of networks that smuggle tens of thousands of people into Britain each year, as well as the often-Chinese makers of the boats and motors they use, the government said on Wednesday.



Under huge political pressure to cut the numbers arriving in small boats from France, the government said the laws would complement other reforms.



"We will target those profiting off putting lives at risk, and disrupt the gangs' finances," interior minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement.



The policy was due to be the centrepiece of a speech by foreign minister David Lammy on Thursday, seeking to demonstrate coordination between the foreign and interior ministries.



Lammy said Britain would pursue the makers of the boats used by migrant smugglers.



The government said the sanctions would be in place by the end of the year and enable authorities to ban those linked to people-smuggling from entering Britain, punish those trying to do business with them, and freeze assets.