Britain Has Lost Control of Its Borders, Mahmood Admits
15th October 2025
Shabana Mahmood will warn on Wednesday that the UK’s failure to control its borders is eroding trust not just in politicians but in the state itself.
The home secretary will host counterparts from six western Balkan countries that are crucial to the prevention of illegal immigration to Europe. She will admit that Britain and other European countries do not have control of their borders.
The western Balkans are a major transit route for people smuggling — almost 22,000 people passed through last year, although numbers have fallen after Britain and the EU focused enforcement measures upon the region.