New sanctions targeting the finances of people smuggling networks will make it harder for gangs to profit from the deadly trade, the Home Office has said. Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the BBC that would involve freezing the bank accounts and assets of "those that help to get people into this country" illegally, as well as travel bans.

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,

Keir Starmer plans to set up a sanctions regime targeting people smugglers as the UK prime minister seeks to deliver on an electoral pledge to “smash the gangs” helping asylum seekers enter the country via irregular routes.