Good morning. British politics in 2026 have been largely preoccupied with foreign affairs and Donald Trump’s turbocharged neo-imperialism, but domestic problems remain paramount. Last night in the PLP, like Pippa Crerar Report, keir starmer He tried to justify the time spent on foreign policy by saying that it was directly related to the problems of livelihood.
And, with immigration and small boats a major issue for voters, the Home Office is today talking about its record on one aspect of this issue.
Shabana MehmoodThe Home Secretary has released figures he says show that raids to catch people working in the UK illegally have reached the “highest level in British history”. The PA media article is slightly less hyperbolic, saying the figures are at their highest level “since current records began in 2019”.
PA report:
There were about 12,791 visits to businesses such as nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops in 2025, up 57% from 8,122 visits the previous year.
Ministers are trying to crack down on people working illegally in Britain as part of efforts to stop people coming into the country illegally.
Meanwhile, arrests last year were at a record high of 8,971, almost 59% more than the 5,647 in 2024 – the previous highest point in figures published by the Home Office.
Of those arrested, 1,087 people have so far been deported from Britain…
The Home Office also said that visits had increased by 77% and arrests had increased by 83% since Labor came to power.
About 17,483 seizures and 12,322 arrests were recorded between July 2024 and December last year, up from 9,894 and 6,725, respectively, between January 2023 and June 2024.
Of those arrested, 1,726 have been returned so far, a 35% increase from the 1,283 people removed from trips over the previous 18-month period.
In a related move, the Home Office is opening a Secure Borders UK TikTok account, designed to discourage people from coming to the UK illegally on small boats. The Sun has a few examples of videos, most of which have been detained (it appears), and its writing is negative and sarcastic. The headline, “Fury as ‘pathetic’ PM’s ‘ridiculous’ brainwash to channel migrant dinghies has emerged as a new TikTok account”, sets the tone. But public opinion doesn’t change overnight, and there may be little cheer in Labor circles from the latest YouGov poll from The Times and Sky News this morning, which shows support for Reform UK at its lowest level since April.
There is more to come in domestic politics as the day progresses. Here is the agenda for the day.
8.30 am: The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, speaks at the annual conference of the Institute for Government. Other speakers during the day include: Louise Casey, Chair of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Affairs, at 9.40am; Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and former Tory cabinet minister Michael Gove, 11.45am; Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, 2.45pm; and Mel Stride, Shadow Chancellor, at 4.30pm.
9.30 am: Keir Starmer is Chairman of the Cabinet. There is a political cabinet and a general cabinet.
9.30 am: plaid Cymru leader Raun ap Iorwerth holds a press conference in Cardiff
10:00:Lib Dem leader Ed Davey holds a press conference to promote plans to end 12-hour A&E waits. Later he will visit the London Air Ambulance.
11 am: Starmer hosts Polish President Karol Nawrocki at number 10.
11.30 am: Streeting takes questions in the Commons.
Afternoon: Downing Street holds a lobby briefing.
2.20 pm: Scottish Government Finance Secretary Shona Robison presents her budget for MSPs.
2.30 pm: Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow and other senior legal figures give evidence to the Commons Justice Committee about plans to ban jury trials; 3.30pm Justice Minister Sarah Sackman gives evidence.
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