The UK Home Office has launched a social media ad campaign targeting Albanian nationals to deter them from making the journey across the Channel to the UK without permission. The campaign will run on Facebook and Instagram and will warn people that they “face being detained and removed” if they attempt to cross the Channel. The campaign will also “make clear the perils” migrants may encounter on small boats when it starts in Albania next week. The Home Office has not disclosed how much the publicity drive is expected to cost. Critics have branded the campaign “pointless” after the number of Channel crossings remained high despite similar measures implemented by the Home Office last year. Record numbers of people crossed the Channel last year and more than 6,000 have been detected making the journey so far in 2023. According to the Home Office, Albania is a “safe and prosperous country” and many of those attempting to cross the Channel are putting themselves in danger by making dangerous and unnecessary journeys. The department is determined to stop the boats and the campaign is part of its efforts to achieve this goal.
What has been the impact of previous ad campaigns on deterring Channel crossings?
Previous ad campaigns launched by the Home Office to deter Channel crossings have been criticized as “pointless” and ineffective. The Home Office spent almost £90,000 on three months of social media adverts aiming to deter English Channel crossings, but the numbers of crossings have continued to increase. Similar adverts in Albanian on Facebook and Instagram were launched last August to try and deter people from making the journey, but the number of Channel crossings remained high despite these measures. The Labour party has criticized the new ad campaign as “beggars belief” and “tinkering at the edges”. However, it is unclear whether the previous ad campaigns have had any impact on deterring Channel crossings.
What criticisms have been raised about the Home Office’s ad campaigns to deter Channel crossings?
Critics have raised several criticisms about the Home Office’s ad campaigns to deter Channel crossings, including:
The campaigns have been described as “pointless” and “ineffective” as the number of Channel crossings remained high despite similar measures implemented by the Home Office last year.
The Labour party has accused the government of “tinkering at the edges” of an asylum system “in chaos”.
Charities have called the adverts “useless and absurd” after several specialist groups rejected an appeal to help the Home Office “understand migrant perceptions” for the campaign.
The Home Office has not disclosed how much the publicity drive is expected to cost.
The campaigns have been criticized as a “gimmick”.
