'That's Failure': Sky News Presenter Slams Labour Minister Over Huge Rise In Small Boat Numbers

Matthew Pennycook was put on the spot by Wilfred Frost.A Sky News presenter accused Labour of “failure” as the number of asylum seekers crossing the English Channel in small boats soars.Nearly 17,000 migrants have made the perilous journey so far this year – nearly 50% more than at the same stage 12 months ago.That is despite the government’s vow to tackle the problem by tackling the people smuggling gangs behind it.Housing minister Matthew Pennycook tried to defend the government’s record on Sky News this morning, but presenter Wilfred Frost was having none of it.He said: “Is it fair to say that so far, a year or so into government, that the government’s failed in this area?”The minister replied: “I don’t think that’s the case. We inherited an immigration and asylum system in complete chaos, we’ve got to restore order, but there was never going to be a quick, overnight fix on this, and we are taking action in a variety of areas.”But Frost told him: “To claim you’re rapidly bearing down, and to cite once again the inheritance, when we’re a full year into your term in office ... and it’s not like the numbers have persisted, they’re 50% worse. Thus far, that’s failure.”Pennycook said: “I don’t accept that. There’s no overnight fix to this. We have to put in place the measures that will allow us to rapidly bring down numbers.”Frost hit back: “Some people will be worried that you don’t see it as failure thus far.”Related...Darren Jones Admits He Was Wrong To Say Most Migrants On Small Boats Are 'Children, Babies And Women'Starmer Accused Of Dancing To 'Farage's Tune' With Small Boats CrackdownLabour Split Erupts After Asylum Seekers On Small Boats Banned From Becoming UK Citizens

Comments

Breaking news

Scottish Government threatened with legal action over ‘failure’ to apply court ruling

The Herald

Cancel the kebabs! Luke Littler gets ultimate darts player's sponsor deal as he promotes McDonald's new Big Arch burger in a change from his usual post-match favourite

about 1 hour ago

Scientists spot a mysterious 'ghost plume' in Oman - and it suggests Earth's core could be LEAKING

Dailymail

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, 17, and 29-year-old OnlyFans star flight attendant 'don't want to put a label on their close relationship', as she speaks publicly on their cosy Italian holiday

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

Common ADHD drug promised calm without unpleasant side effects of Ritalin - but patients now warn of a possible dark side

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

Unexpected Spanish area that's got posh, revealed by a travel expert: From incredible hotels and restaurants to amazing sights, you'll NEVER guess where the smart set are now going...

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

I'm a strong, intelligent professional and enjoy this risky sex trend that horrifies the older generations: TRACEY COX reveals why women are engaging in dangerous bedroom act

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

Grenfell survivor breaks down in tears recounting agonising moment medics were forced to choose between saving the life of his wife or child - as Cat Deeley steps in to comfort him on This Morning

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

Bridgerton actress who fought off phone thief reveals she 'hit rock bottom' and had a concussion after attacker threatened to stab her in 'life or death' brawl

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

Revealed: The X-rated sex practice older women are choosing to boost lacklustre love lives - as 70 per cent say they're starved of intimacy

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

Gone in 20 seconds: Moment thieves steal a car in less than half a minute for £5,000 fee before mocking victims with 'go and buy another one' rant

about 1 hour ago

'I said a woman should stay home and the man provide.' So how did he react? Find out in our VERY surprising Blind Date

Dailymail

Comments

Breaking news

Scottish Government threatened with legal action over ‘failure’ to apply court ruling

Former senior Catholic priest admits historic child abuse

British Air India survivor helping to carry his brother’s coffin

HS2 is delayed again – here’s how much it is over budget

The Grooming Gangs Scandal: How Did We Get Here?

Watch live: Angela Rayner faces Chris Philp in PMQs as Starmer returns from G7 summit

Warning issued over pets falling out of windows during UK heatwave

PZ Cussons narrows profit guidance and sells stake in Nigerian palm oil firm

Francesco Risso leaves Marni after a decade as creative director in another fashion world shakeup

Elon Musk calls Grok answer a ‘major fail’ after it highlights political violence caused by MAGA supporters

Major UK energy company to give thousands of customers £150 compensation for payment error

Government urged to do more to show it values public services

Father of a man shot during latest protests in Kenya calls for police accountability

UK inflation eases by less than anticipated ahead of Bank of England rate decision

Future of bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Ltd could have 'profound impact' on West Lothian communities

Will the heatwave reach Scotland as Met Office issues yellow heat warnings

West Lothian considers relaxing rules on access for vans at recycling centres

Creepy paedo dad who groomed Scots schoolgirl moved 400 miles to be closer to her

Dunoon ferry water search 'concluded' after missing man 'fell overboard'

Dobbies Garden Centre in Livingston undergoes refurbishment

Scotland's five 'safest cities' named where locals feel most protected

Shark misting fan kept my dormer office cool in heatwave without soaking my desk

Coatbridge law firm Friels raises £3180 for annual charity Will Aid campaign

Two men appear in court after 'machete murder bid' on Mark Richardson associate

Bathgate and Linlithgow MP pledges to stand up for unpaid carers in Parliament

West Lothian charities need more funding, and say it is an 'investment in communities'

Turkey teeth bender blunder as Brit arrested and stranded over 'stupid mistake'

Shoppers race to buy Galaxy watch for £69 as warned of 'limited availability'

Will there be a hosepipe ban in the UK?

Jeremy Clarkson's bitter split from wife from affair claims to 'nonsense' injunction

Alert that HMRC could investigate after 'watching your Instagram'

Vanessa Feltz's show hit with 2000 Ofcom complaints over shock breastfeeding remark

Donald Trump's backing of Israel's attacks on Tehran ignites brutal MAGA war in US

‘Magic’ de-frizzing air-dry hair cream allows you to skip blow-drying in hot weather

UK heatwave: Exact date mercury could hit 38C in FOUR DAY scorcher revealed

PMQs watch LIVE: Angela Rayner slaps down top Tory for doing 'absolutely nothing' on grooming gangs

Shocking number of Brits 'go for weeks' without experiencing joy

Rapist jailed after victim gives evidence against him from 'beyond the grave'

BREAKING: Brit shot dead outside Mexican supermarket 'in wrong place at the wrong time'

Heartbreaking update on how TikTok star Emilie Kiser's toddler drowned in pool

UK’s youngest female double murderer who tortured pal with cheese grater could be freed

Cardiologist says one food eaten each day can reduce blood pressure within hours

Cancel the kebabs! Luke Littler gets ultimate darts player's sponsor deal as he promotes McDonald's new Big Arch burger in a change from his usual post-match favourite

Scientists spot a mysterious 'ghost plume' in Oman - and it suggests Earth's core could be LEAKING

Another electric U-turn: German car giant scraps promise to end development of petrol engines

Scaffolder, 44, wins life-changing £11.5 million jackpot from £1.50 bet he made on an online slot machine

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, 17, and 29-year-old OnlyFans star flight attendant 'don't want to put a label on their close relationship', as she speaks publicly on their cosy Italian holiday

Common ADHD drug promised calm without unpleasant side effects of Ritalin - but patients now warn of a possible dark side

Unexpected Spanish area that's got posh, revealed by a travel expert: From incredible hotels and restaurants to amazing sights, you'll NEVER guess where the smart set are now going...

I'm a strong, intelligent professional and enjoy this risky sex trend that horrifies the older generations: TRACEY COX reveals why women are engaging in dangerous bedroom act

Grenfell survivor breaks down in tears recounting agonising moment medics were forced to choose between saving the life of his wife or child - as Cat Deeley steps in to comfort him on This Morning

Bridgerton actress who fought off phone thief reveals she 'hit rock bottom' and had a concussion after attacker threatened to stab her in 'life or death' brawl

Revealed: The X-rated sex practice older women are choosing to boost lacklustre love lives - as 70 per cent say they're starved of intimacy

Gone in 20 seconds: Moment thieves steal a car in less than half a minute for £5,000 fee before mocking victims with 'go and buy another one' rant

'I said a woman should stay home and the man provide.' So how did he react? Find out in our VERY surprising Blind Date

Lawyer who defended drug lord 'El Chapo' elected as judge

What can we expect in the Women's Super League transfer window?

The Israel-Iran War, Explained

Man who raped 15-year-old in Falkirk jailed

Israel will have to spend £6,600,000,000 to stop all Iranian ballistic missiles