At least 27 people lost their lives last night attempting to cross the English Channel.

It is desperately sad to hear that 27 people, including a pregnant woman and children, lost their lives in such dangerous circumstances. This is a heart-breaking tragedy and even more so because it was entirely predictable and predicted.

These people were fleeing terrible situations both in their home countries and in the camps in France, which is why they risked their lives in this terrible way – to find safe haven in Britain.

The Government and the international community have a responsibility to prevent people from being forced into such situations. That’s why we have consistently called for safe legal routes to be established and maintained so that people don’t have to turn in desperation to the people smugglers.

Enough is enough, we must all work together to ensure that tragedies such as this do not happen again. Safe passage must be delivered, and this must be done now.