‘I stopped Sweden’s Illegal migrant wave – this is how UK can End small boat madness
Sweden’s migration minister says Britain could reduce illegal immigration by following policies that have helped bring asylum applications in Sweden down to their lowest level since 1984.
Johan Forssell believes Britain could reduce the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats without leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, also known as the ECHR. Some British politicians argue that leaving the convention is necessary because human rights laws are often used to challenge asylum decisions and deportations.
Around 30,000 people arrived in Britain by small boat in the year ending July 31, 2026. In recent weeks, record numbers of people have also been travelling in each overcrowded and unsafe vessel.
Home Office figures show that Britain received around 178,845 asylum applications between 2018 and 2025. Of these, 79,589 people, or 44.5 per cent, were granted refugee status.
There was also concern after reports that more than 70,000 people entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco between July 30 and 31. Many reportedly swam around the heavily guarded border fences. The large number of arrivals has raised fears that some may eventually try to travel to Britain.
Successive British governments have promised to reduce illegal immigration, but none has managed to bring the numbers down significantly or stop people from making the dangerous Channel crossing.
Sweden, however, believes it may have found an effective way to reduce asylum-related migration. Mr Forssell, who serves in the country’s right-wing coalition government, says Britain could introduce similar measures.
He told The Telegraph that Sweden had reduced benefits, increased the deportation of foreign criminals and required asylum seekers to live in reception centres while their claims were considered.
Sweden expects to receive only about 4,200 asylum seekers this year, its lowest number since 1984. Since the current government came to power in 2022, asylum applications have fallen by 75 per cent, while deportations have increased by 60 per cent.
Mr Forssell said people who move to Sweden must learn the Swedish language, find employment and obey the law. He argued that these are reasonable expectations and should not be seen as extreme.
He also warned that Europe’s migration problems are far from over. He said the situation in Britain and the recent events in Spain show why European countries must take border security seriously.
Migration became a major political issue in Sweden after the country received more than 162,000 asylum applications during the European migrant crisis in 2015. Public concern over the issue later helped move Swedish politics from the left towards the right.
Mr Forssell said leaving the ECHR was not the only way to reduce asylum applications and increase deportations. However, he believes the convention needs to be changed because some of its rules can protect foreign criminals more than the victims of their crimes.
He said Sweden remains committed to following international law and respecting human rights. However, he argued that the government must be able to remove foreign nationals who commit serious crimes.
According to Mr Forssell, Sweden’s experience proves that asylum-related migration can be reduced quickly while still following international law. He admitted there is no single solution, but said his government had carefully reviewed its laws and made each one stricter.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also said his party could intercept and return migrant boats crossing the English Channel without breaking international law.
Under a proposal called “Operation Fortress,” Reform UK wants the Royal Navy to take migrants back to France or Belgium. The party says the plan would be a humanitarian operation aimed at stopping dangerous Channel crossings.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Farage said Operation Fortress would involve a combined military operation.
