PEOPLE-smuggling gangs are offering “buy one, get one free” deals so migrants caught crossing the Channel can try again.
Many of those intercepted by French police simply make further attempts later, according to Government insiders.
People-smuggling gangs offer buy-one-get-one-free crossings to illegal migrants in case the first attempt is unlucky enough to fail[/caption]
Traffickers in Calais can charge as much as £7,500 for crossings in deathtrap dinghies.
One senior official said: “Many migrants have assurances from the gangs that if they get caught, they will get another attempt later.”
The claims emerged as Tory MPs are openly questioning the point of paying France £480million when migrant boats keep coming.
The total to have crossed since Rishi Sunak became PM in October is now thought to have passed 25,000, pending official figures.
Downing Street has suggested the millions given to France is value for money and pointed at the increased interception rate.
But another senior official told The Sun: “Yes, interceptions are up but that number includes many who will just make another attempt.”
Adam Holloway, a Conservative member of the Home Affairs Committee, said Britain should not hand asylum to “fit young men who have essentially gamed the system”.
He said: “The people who make it here are the relatively privileged few who can pay people-smugglers.”
Yesterday, France’s former ambassador to Britain warned Mr Sunak there was no chance of catching every attempted crossing.
Sylvie Bermann told the BBC: “We have 150km of coast. It’s very difficult to prevent them.”
