Gang leaders involved in trafficking people face prison sentences on a par with rape and murder, under new UK sentencing guidelines that will start in October.
Sentences can reach a maximum of 18 years.
Sentencing Council member, Rosina Cottage QC, said in a statement, “Modern slavery targets vulnerable people who are exploited for financial gain by the offenders and can cause serious physical and psychological harm.”
Judges are asked to use leniency for sentencing of those involved in trafficking or slavery who are themselves victims.
Just three years ago, Channel crossings were only a tiny fraction of illegal immigration.
Already this year over 11,000 people have made the crossing from France on what are typically small inflatable boats.
A total of 8,417 made the journey in the whole of last year—four times the number for 2019.
The government claims it will provide better support for those in genuine need of asylum, while at the same time weeding out bogus claims, as well as deterring illegal immigration.
The proposed law would raise the penalty for illegal entry from six months to four years imprisonment, and mete out life sentences for trafficking.
There is a lack of precise information on levels of what might be categorized as illegal immigration into the UK, in part because the definition of “illegal” immigration is hard to pin down and is subject to different interpretations and uses.
According to the Home Office, last year, when migration dropped due to pandemic restrictions, “known illegal entry” was around 16,000 people .