We can't stop every migrant boat admits Labour's Lucy Powell amid fury at Channel dinghies landing unchallenged in Kent

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 03:44 EDT, 24 September 2026 | Updated: 04:25 EDT, 24 September 2026 A Labour minister admitted the Government was powerless to prevent all Channel migrant boats reaching Britain, amid a furious row over unchallenged landings in Kent.Education Secretary Lucy Powell made the admission the day after 21 people were detained after a boat evaded Border Force to arrive at Samphire Hoe near Dover.That was the second such landing in two days, with a dinghy carrying seven making it ashore at Folkestone on Monday morning – the first undetected landing for a year.Channel boat arrivals are becoming a major flashpoint, with police investigating the anti-migrant activist 'Danny Tommo' after he livestreamed himself appearing to slash a dinghy while a rescuer was still onboard. As pressure grows on the Government to deal with the crisis, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered an urgent review, admitting even one uncontrolled landing was 'too many'.But asked about the problem today, Ms Powell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: '[You] can't stop everything all of the time. Education Secretary Lucy Powell made the admission the day after 21 people were detained after a boat evaded Border Force to arrive on a beach near Dover A still from footage that appeared to show migrants arriving on Samphire Hoe Beach in Kent on Tuesday'Of course, it's a concern. That's why the Home Secretary has demanded and ordered this urgent review because this is not what we want to see. This is not acceptable.'But the overall picture is an improving picture. It is hard, difficult work that requires constant, constant effort by our border forces, our security services, police, our partnerships with France and other countries.'This is a mammoth and huge task, which is now starting to reap some dividends. But of course, you know where there are still issues arising, we must absolutely tackle them.'But shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: 'Our border security has descended into chaos with illegal immigrants crossing at will over ever larger distances and in ever larger boats.'This latest fiasco shows that the French are not even trying to stop the illegal immigrants' boats in French waters, instead they are escorting them here.'What's more, there have been two uncontrolled migrant landings in a week. It is a complete free for all – the Labour Government have no idea who is coming into the country.'The only way to stop Channel crossings is to deport anyone who arrives illegally to their home country or a safe third country. That's the only way we can end this madness.'Before Monday, no small-boat arrivals to the UK coast without an escort had been officially recorded since September 6, 2025. It will come as a blow to Border Security Command, which had suggested they were a thing of the past thanks to new surveillance technology and improved resources.But Ms Mahmood said new smuggler crossing tactics were a sign that the Government's efforts are 'having an impact'.Meanwhile, a man believed to be a migrant was found dead on a beach in northern France on Wednesday, French authorities have said.Local outlets reported the man thought to be in his 20s was found hours after a small boat departed for the UK and while other migrants hoping to make the journey remained in the nearby dunes.Some 17,784 migrants have arrived after crossing the Channel by boat so far this year, including 5,315 since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.The total so far for 2026 is down 45 per cent on the same point last year.