Starmer attacked from left and right after setting out plan to stop Channel crossings

Labour leader Keir Starmer set out plans to stop small boat Channel crossings in Labour 's first big intervention on the issue.

He promised to ditch use of barges, hotels and military sites to house asylum seekers.

He also promised to recruit 1,000 caseworkers to end the asylum backlog.

Union leader Matt Wrack said he was in “danger of pandering to rightwing Tory rhetoric’ on immigration.

Cooper said: “Tory chaos at our borders and in the asylum system is costing taxpayers billions and must come to an end. All we have had from this government is gimmicks, not grip,” he said.

The party has also promised to strengthen powers to restrict the movement of people smugglers.