The 2,316 small boat arrivals in July marked the lowest number of crossings since 2020, despite the extraordinarily good weather. Sources say the department is working well with the new No 10 operation and feel that Burnham backs Mahmood’s approach. Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, said “a rethink and a fresh approach” was needed from the new PM on asylum policy. But another Labour MP said Mahmood had a lot of support inside the party to carry on with the small boats crackdown and take on Reform. A Home Office spokesperson said the Government was “bearing down” on the crossings and the removal of small boat arrivals.