UK election latest: Starmer makes ‘very important’ visit to Scotland as first UK tour begins | Political news

The new home secretary wasted little time getting started in her role – launching the promised Border Security Command (BSC) just days after her appointment.

The BSC was one of the cornerstones of Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto – Labour’s Solution to the Small Craft Crisis.

The establishment is being funded at least in part by diverting £75 million from the now-cancelled scheme in Rwanda.

Yvette Cooper set out the first steps to set up the BSC, which promises to “strengthen the security of Britain’s borders and crack down on criminal smuggling gangs who make millions from small boat crossings”.

The plan includes the rapid recruitment of an “exceptional leader”, which starts tomorrow.

“We can’t go on like this”

The new recruit, who is expected to take up his post in the coming weeks, will report directly to the home secretary’s office.

They will be tasked with providing “strategic direction” between agencies including the National Crime Agency, the police, immigration and the Border Force.

Ms Cooper is also preparing early legislation to introduce new counter-terrorism-style powers for the BSC and has commissioned an investigation into the routes and tactics used by smuggling gangs.

She said it would be a “major change” in Britain’s efforts to tackle organized crime on immigration, working “across Europe” and coordinating with prosecutors on the continent.

“We can’t go on like this,” she said, adding that the BSC would act as a “major upgrade” to the immigration system Labor inherited.