Fresh from his triumph over Northern Ireland, Rishi Sunak has launched straight into delivering on another of the people’s priorities: stopping the boats.

Since 2018, 85,000 people have illegally entered the UK in small boats. 38,000 of that number came between January and October 2022. The problem is only mounting and serious action is demanded. Any attempt at stopping those deadly Channel crossings is to be welcomed.

Some have responded with misplaced outrage and unhelpful slurs. We have seen this all before. The announcement of last year’s Rwanda scheme caused a storm and there were serious questions about its legality. But in December 2022 the High Court ruled that it was, in fact, legal and did not breach the UN Refugee Convention. Across the year, the Social Democratic government of Denmark was exploring a similar scheme. Numerous agreements are also in place with other safe third countries, as Rishi stated in PMQs.

Properly-defined legal routes for asylum seekers remain in place. Since 2015 we have offered safety to 480,000 from around the world. Most recently, we have welcomed tens of thousands from Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Britain has not closed its doors to those in need and we remain an outward looking nation.
If that is lost on some of us at home, it seems clear to Americans. Following the Windsor framework, US lawmakers have signalled that Sunak’s pragmatic and effective dealing with the Northern Ireland issue paves the way for a new trade deal with the UK. Legislation with bipartisan support has already been introduced in the Senate to give Biden the authority to negotiate with London and fast-track a vote in Congress. A new trade deal with our largest ally would be a huge boost for our economy. That it is on the table once again shows the success we can make of post-Brexit Britain.

Another sign of brighter days ahead is Andrew Bailey’s hinting that the Bank of England may be done raising interest rates. In early March, the Governor gave a speech noting that inflation has peaked and that core inflation fell even more than expected in January. CPI inflation is forecast to fall dramatically over 2023. Bailey also suggested that energy bills may start falling. Credit, bills, mortgages and essentials should all become more affordable in the foreseeable future. No one doubts that we still face serious challenges. But we can take comfort in signs that national policy is working and pressures will ease on people across the UK.