The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, stated that the country has ‘lost control of its borders’ over the past five years, following a record number of Channel crossings by migrants, with 1,194 people arriving in small boats recently. He attributed the crisis to the previous Conservative government and criticized the lack of action from France despite a new law allowing boat interceptions. Healey emphasized the need for cooperation with France to combat smuggling and improve the asylum system, while opposition leaders expressed concerns over government failures and criticized French authorities for their handling of the situation.