The body of a man has been recovered by the Coastguard in the English Channel, after being spotted by another vessel.
The body, which was lifted from the water this afternoon, has been taken to Eastbourne, Sussex Police have said.
Officers said the man had been seen in the water in the "mid-English Channel". They have not identified him, or confirmed his nationality.
Enquiries have begun into the circumstances of his death.
Image:Dangerous crossings of the Channel have resumed with the good weather in September. Pic: AP
The discovery of the body, in what is one of the world's busiest shipping channels, comes amid a boom in staycations following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures in the UK.
It is thought at least 1,000 men, women and children were spotted making the journey from France to the UK last week.
The Home Office put the figure at lower than that but cannot yet say whether the record was broken.
Lifeboat teams were seen bringing groups of migrants ashore, including a baby and several young children, following a day which saw the first people escorted to safety from the Channel to Dover in more than a fortnight.
Eyewitnesses described authorities including Border Force and the RNLI as appearing to be very busy as a steady stream of crossings was thought to be under way on calm waters and under warm, sunny skies.
French authorities were also on alert for more migrant crossings.
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Hundreds seek refuge on British shores
Local Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) teams based in Kent picked up a small boat carrying a large group of migrants at Dungeness on Monday morning.
Crossings over the perilous Dover Strait had been quiet due to bad weather, but seemingly resumed in September with four boats arriving last Sunday and many thought to have attempted the journey the following Monday.
Sunday's arrivals brought the total number of people who have crossed the UK aboard small boats this year to more than 12,500, according to data from the PA news agency.
Crossings in 2021 have already eclipsed last year's annual total of 8,417.
The body of a man has been recovered by the Coastguard in the English Channel, after being spotted by another vessel.
The body, which was lifted from the water this afternoon, has been taken to Eastbourne, Sussex Police have said.
Officers said the man had been seen in the water in the "mid-English Channel". They have not identified him, or confirmed his nationality.
Enquiries have begun into the circumstances of his death.
Image:Dangerous crossings of the Channel have resumed with the good weather in September. Pic: AP
The discovery of the body, in what is one of the world's busiest shipping channels, comes amid a boom in staycations following the easing of coronavirus lockdown measures in the UK.
It is thought at least 1,000 men, women and children were spotted making the journey from France to the UK last week.
The Home Office put the figure at lower than that but cannot yet say whether the record was broken.
Lifeboat teams were seen bringing groups of migrants ashore, including a baby and several young children, following a day which saw the first people escorted to safety from the Channel to Dover in more than a fortnight.
Eyewitnesses described authorities including Border Force and the RNLI as appearing to be very busy as a steady stream of crossings was thought to be under way on calm waters and under warm, sunny skies.
French authorities were also on alert for more migrant crossings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Hundreds seek refuge on British shores
Local Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) teams based in Kent picked up a small boat carrying a large group of migrants at Dungeness on Monday morning.
Crossings over the perilous Dover Strait had been quiet due to bad weather, but seemingly resumed in September with four boats arriving last Sunday and many thought to have attempted the journey the following Monday.
Sunday's arrivals brought the total number of people who have crossed the UK aboard small boats this year to more than 12,500, according to data from the PA news agency.
Crossings in 2021 have already eclipsed last year's annual total of 8,417.
Now council tax could ALSO rise next year: Millions of British households face 'double whammy' along with increase in National Insurance to help pay for Boris Johnson's social care plan
Council tax may have to increase in 2022 to pay for social care, ministers fear
Town halls will likely need additional funding due to most of the money raised from the 1.25 per cent NI increase set to go to the NHS over three years
Families would then be left facing a 'double whammy' of tax increases in April
Council tax may have to increase for millions of households in 2022 to pay for social care despite Boris Johnson's manifesto-busting raid on national insurance, ministers fear.
Town halls will likely need additional funding due to most of the money raised from the 1.25 per cent NI increase set to go to the NHS over three years before it is diverted into social care in 2024.
Families would then be left facing a 'double whammy' of tax increases in April next year, with some ministers now believing council tax rises of around five or six per cent on average will be levied to plug the gap, The Telegraph reports.
Some Tory MPs now worry they will meet upset local party members when they return from Westminster to their constituencies for the first time since the tax hike was passed through the Commons.
A government source said: 'There will be pressure but that is one of a number of factors. Some of the others are looking more positive than councils were telling us six months ago.'
Town halls will likely need additional funding due to most of the money raised from the 1.25 per cent NI increase set to go to the NHS over three years before it is diverted into social care in 2024 (pictured: Boris Johnson)
Conservative support plummeted five points to 33 per cent while Labour's share increased by one point to 35 per cent, putting Sir Keir Starmer's party ahead of the Tories for the first time since January
The House voted by 319 to 248 in favour of the 1.25 percentage point increase in NI contributions amid deep unhappiness among many Conservative MPs
Does Tory care cap risk Red Wall seats? Plan may favour South as Labour takes poll lead
By Daniel Martin, Policy Editor for the Daily Mail
Suggestions that the social care cap will help Londoners more than Northerners may put the Tories' Red Wall seats at risk, the party was warned last night.
Homeowners in the North face losing three times more of their assets than families in the capital – while those in the Midlands will lose twice as much – according to an analysis.
It adds to concerns that the proposals will do little to prevent people having to sell their homes.
On Tuesday the Prime Minister unveiled his care plan, which will see a lifetime cap of £86,000 on care costs – paid for by a 1.25 percentage point increase in National Insurance. A poll published yesterday – showing Labour ahead of the Conservatives for the first time since January – has caused jitters in the Tory ranks.
The YouGov survey found Sir Keir Starmer's party on 35 per cent – two points ahead of the Tories on 33 per cent.
This is the Conservatives' lowest rating since the 2019 election. Last week the Health Foundation think-tank suggested the care cost cap could actually benefit those living in the North.
This is because, under the current system where people face unlimited care costs, northern homeowners pay more as a proportion of the value of their home than those in the South. They said this difference would be lessened if a cap was imposed.
But the new analysis, compiled by Labour, looked at average house prices in each constituency to see how far the £86,000 cap will protect the value of someone's home. It showed that property-owners in the North could face care costs up to three-fifths of their assets including the value of their home.
In Red Wall seats won by the Conservatives in 2019, homeowners face losing 55 per cent of their assets. In comparison, homeowners in London face costs of just 17 per cent of their assets. Labour said this meant homeowners in the North with significant care needs were more likely to have to sell their home and will lose more of the value of the property.
But the Culture Secretary dismissed the poll, saying he believed voters will 'ultimately recognise' that the tax rise was necessary. Oliver Dowden said: 'Finally the Prime Minister has actually done something about this... The electorate reward governments who are willing to take difficult decisions in order to protect the long-term national interest.'
One senior minister said the idea of council tax bills increasing was a 'worry', adding: 'At the end of it all, people are going to ask themselves do they want the Government to level with them and be honest or do they want a government that wrings its hands and does nothing.'
Ministers have been trying to quell Tory panic as a poll showed support slumping amid the massive £12billion national insurance raid.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said voters would eventually 'reward' the government for making difficult decisions - despite YouGov finding a five-point drop in backing for the ruling party.
The 33 per cent support is the lowest level since the election in 2019. Two-thirds said they do not believe keeping taxes low is a priority for Boris Johnson of his party.
Labour was in the lead for the first time since January with 35 per cent - although in a more optimistic sign for the Tories Keir Starmer only managed to soak up one extra point.
Sir Keir Starmer is now expected to use a speech at a summit for Labour leaders in local government to set out his stall for the reform of social care.
Sir Keir will be speaking after a week in which the Government unveiled manifesto-busting plans to raise national insurance in order to clear the NHS backlog and fix the social care crisis.
But Labour has been criticised, including by those inside the party, for not presenting an alternative while slamming Boris Johnson's plans.
At the LGA Labour Leaders' Summit on Saturday, where Sir Keir is attending in person, he is expected to say that Labour would 'ask those with the broadest shoulders to carry the burden'.
He will say: 'Labour's aim isn't just to 'fix the crisis in social care' - as the Prime Minister has repeatedly promised but failed to deliver. Instead, Labour's vision for social care is to ensure all older and disabled people get the support they need to live the life they choose.'
He is expected to outline how this would include a shift to prevention and early intervention for those with care needs, and a preference for keeping them at home.
He will say that Labour would 'champion independent and fulfilling lives for working-age adults with disabilities - so people have choice and control over the support they get, and their views drive change in the system'.
Sir Keir will promise a 'new deal' for care workers and unpaid carers.
He will say that by comparison, the Government plan is 'a rushed out, half-baked, mess that won't give social care the resources needed, won't actually reform social care, won't create more and better-paid jobs, isn't fair across the regions or generations, and won't stop people selling off their homes to fund care'.
Sir Keir will appeal to local authorities as he will suggest the PM's proposals will force them to raise council tax as they will not receive any extra cash.
He will add: 'This is an unfair plan that doesn't work. And who is left with the bill? It's working people. It's especially low earners and young people who have already borne the brunt of the economic impact of the pandemic.'
At least a dozen fire engines responded to the incident on Mill Street East.
It is expected that emergency services will be on the scene into the early hours of Saturday morning.
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West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "We currently have 12 fire engines & specialist units in attendance at a fire at an industrial unit in Saville Town #Dewsbury.
"All persons are accounted for.
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"Please avoid travelling through the area."
West Yorkshire Police said: "Police were called at 4.49pm today to reports of a large fire in the area of Mill Street East, Dewsbury
"Emergency services including the police are currently at the scene
"Witnesses have reported hearing explosions - it is believed this is gas cylinders exploding.
"Mill Street East and Warren Street are closed and there is a cordon in place around the scene."
It added: "There are currently no reports of any injuries but emergency services are continuing to check the scene."
Kirklees Council said: "Local residents within the vicinity of the fire on Mill Street East in Dewsbury, particularly Chickenley and Earlsheaton residents, please keep doors and windows closed.
"There is no access to Mill Street East, Dewsbury, at this time."
Ayah Alfawaris, 32, from Leeds, said: "As we got to Dewsbury there was heavy traffic so we got out of the Uber and started walking to our destination.
"We saw at least four ambulances and three fire brigades on one street with some police cars.
"They started blocking off the roads and diverting traffic.
"The fire did seem to get bigger with time and I was a bit scared it was going to get closer to where we were.
"Firemen came with a truck to pump water out of the canal next to the pub. The manager gave them a crate of beer for later which was nice."
Dame Cressida Dick will continue to lead the Metropolitan Police Service until 2024, Home Secretary Priti Patel has confirmed.
The decision comes just one day after campaigners against police injustice called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to replace Dame Cressida after her current contract comes to an end in April 2022.
In an open letter published on Thursday, they accused the Met's chief of "presiding over a culture of incompetence and cover-up".
Image:Campaigners against police injustice had called for Boris Johnson to replace Dame Cressida
But Ms Patel said the extension of Dame Cressida's contract "will provide continuity and stability as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic".
Dame Cressida said she is "immensely honoured and humbled" to have been asked to extend her time as Met Commissioner for a further two years.
"I am proud to continue to serve my city," she said in a statement.
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The two-year extension to Dame Cressida's current fixed-term appointment was granted by the Queen, the Home Office announced on Friday.
Ms Patel said: "I am pleased to announce that Dame Cressida will continue to lead the Metropolitan Police until April 2024 and wish to thank her for her service to date."
She added: "Londoners know there is more to do to keep our capital safe, including by driving down violent crime, and I look forward to continuing to work with the commissioner and mayor of London to protect the public."
Image:Priti Patel said Dame Cressida's extension 'will provide continuity and stability'
Mr Khan said the decision "will provide the experienced and strong leadership we need as our city emerges from the pandemic".
"The Met commissioner has the most difficult policing job in the country, overseeing the safety of more than ten million people living, working and visiting our global city," the mayor of London said.
"The last four-and-a-half years have also presented significant additional challenges for the Met, including terror attacks, the tragedy of Grenfell Tower, rising public order incidents and policing challenging COVID-19 restrictions.
"It's my role as mayor to both support the commissioner and hold her to account and I will continue to do so to ensure we continue to reduce serious violence in all its forms and increase trust and confidence in our police force among London's diverse communities."
Dame Cressida said she looks forward to "continuing to work with my dedicated, courageous colleagues and the public to create an even more visible, stronger and professional Met".
"We will strive to prevent and reduce violence and the crimes Londoners care most about, bring more criminals to justice, and protect, support and build the confidence of all our communities," she said.
Image:Labour's Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he supports the decision
"I'd like to thank the mayor, the home secretary and the Prime Minister for the confidence they have shown in me. I am acutely aware that there are many excellent leaders in policing.
"Every day across the capital, officers and police staff come to work focused on protecting people and making London safer - it is not only what the public expect and demand of us, but it is what inspired each of us to join and why after more than 35 years in policing I remain so passionate.
"Londoners have my word that I will keep working as hard as I can for them and for this wonderful city that I love. I take the responsibilities I have been entrusted with extremely seriously."
On Thursday, the Met's officers gave their "full support" to Dame Cressida following the criticism from campaigners against police injustice.
In recent months, she has resisted calls for her resignation over the force's heavy-handed policing of a vigil held in memory of Sarah Everard, the marketing executive murdered by former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens in March.
The force, under Dame Cressida's watch, has also faced ongoing accusations of racial bias in its use of stop and search powers and was hit with criticism over the security of Wembley stadium during the final of the Euro 2020 championships.
Image:As commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, she will continue to lead the largest force in England and Wales
The Met's commissioner has previously denied the force is institutionally racist, but has admitted it is "not free of discrimination, racism or bias".
She has also had to deal with the fallout from Operation Midland, a multimillion-pound investigation during which detectives were duped by false claims of a VIP sex abuse ring made by fantasist Carl Beech.
Deputy Commissioner Sir Stephen House previously apologised for failings made by the force following Operation Midland and insisted there was no cover-up.
As commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, she will continue to lead the largest force in England and Wales made up of more than 43,000 officers and staff and will be responsible for driving a reduction in crime in London, bringing offenders to justice, and upholding public confidence in the force.
In her role, Dame Cressida also has national responsibilities, including continuing to ensure an effective nationwide response to terrorist threats.
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Labour looks forward to continuing to work with the commissioner on reducing serious violence, disproportionality in our criminal justice system and ensuring we have police on our streets keeping the people of London safe.
"The Metropolitan Police must always work to increase trust and confidence in every community, and ensure that lessons are learned from the injustices of the past."
'Are the British going to shoot migrants?' Anglo-French war of words over Channel grows as RNLI brings 104 people into the UK after rescue and people smugglers take advantage of three-day heatwave to get 1,542 across
In just three days 1,542 people came across the English Channel from Calais to the UK in small boats
It takes the total of intercepted migrants in just this year so far to 14,127 and has prompted a backlash
There have been suggestions maritime law could be changed to allow them to be turned round in waters
The war of words over migrant Channel crossings escalated again today as French politicians suggested the UK might 'shoot' at boats.
Home Secretary Priti Patel was accused of 'irresponsible' behaviour over the threat to 'push back' small vessels attempting the journey - after it emerged smugglers spirited more than 1,500 people across during the three-day heatwave.
Senior French figures also blamed generous benefits and easy availability of jobs for fuelling the growing problems.
The salvo is the latest evidence of deteriorating relations, with the former head of the Royal Navy having swiped yesterday that Inspector Clouseau appeared to be running France's border patrols.
The Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart vented fury this morning at the idea UK authorities will try to turn around boats and send them back to France.
'Are they going to shoot at the boats and at the passengers in the small boats?' she told her local newspaper Voix du Nord.
'It's not like that that we're going to have serious relations about the migration problems that we manage...
'The British should, for the sake of humanity and to prevent any risk of dying at sea, pick up migrants who are in a hot spot on their territory.'
Ms Bouchard suggested that the British always had the option of 'sending them back alive to their country of origin.'
Xavier Bertrand, President of the regional council that covers Calais, said: 'The British must stop being hypocritical.
'They welcome migrants, give them jobs, and pay them very little. As long as there is this UK attraction, there will be unfortunate people trying to get through, exploited by the criminal people smugglers.'
In just three days 1,542 people came across the English Channel from Calais to the UK in small boats, including on Tuesday
It takes the total of intercepted migrants in just this year so far to 14,127, pictured Tuesday, and has prompted a backlash
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover following a small boat incident in the Channel on Thursday
Home Office data show that in a three day window this week a staggering 1,542 people were detained by Border Force officers after making the treacherous 21 mile crossing.
On Monday 785 migrants were picked up in boats and on beaches across the Kent and Sussex coastline in 27 incidents.
The following day 456 people in 17 incidents were detained and on Wednesday the Home Office says 301 people were picked up in nine small boats. In 2020 there were 8,410 migrants detained.
So far this year a total of 14,127 arrivals have been officially recorded.
Dan O'Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, said: 'This unacceptable rise in dangerous crossings is being driven by criminal gangs and a surge in illegal migration across Europe..
'We're determined to target the criminals at every level, so far, we have secured nearly 300 arrests, 65 convictions and prevented more than 10,000 migrant attempts.
'But there is more to do. The Government's New Plan for Immigration is the only credible way to fix the broken asylum system, breaking the business model of criminal gangs and welcoming people through safe and legal routes.'
Weather conditions in the Channel have deteriorated overnight with stronger winds expected today (THURS) making crossings more difficult.
The Border Force vessel Seeker has been patrolling off the Kent Coast this morning.
Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal said earlier this week: 'People who are perfectly safe in France brazenly break into Britain day after day. First it was a few, then hundreds and now over a thousand in a single day. The French just waving them through with a cheery Bon Voyage.
'If the French won't stop the small boats then we need to. By turning boats back, making returns and taking firm control of our borders.
'I fully support emergency legislation to do that, if that is needed. This needs a fresh approach urgently.'
But Oliver Dowden said the UK would do nothing to infringe international law.
Asked whether he could confirm the tactic had been approved, the Culture Secretary told Sky News: 'Firstly, in relation to these migrants, it is worth remembering they are coming from a safe country, which is France.
They included 104 rescued by the RNLI off Eastbourne on Thursday and bring the total this year to a tally that dwarfed 2020
Migrants are brought into Dover docks by Border Force staff on September 9, in Dover, England as the crossings continued
the British government has authorised its Border Force to turn back boats while at sea, in some circumstances
'This has been a persistent problem for a long period of time. The Home Secretary is rightly exploring every possible avenue to stop that.
'We have said that that will include looking at turning migrants back, but that will only be done in accordance with international law and clearly the safety of migrants is absolutely paramount.
'We would not do anything to endanger lives, clearly, but I think the public at large would expect us to be taking measures to prevent people from travelling from the safe country of France to England, and I think it is right to consider all measures.
'The most important thing about this is the real beneficiaries of this are these criminal gangs who are organising this transport - this is really not in the interest of people who of course have their reasons for wanting to come here.'
A Cabinet minister has confirmed that the UK Government has spoken to counterparts in Paris about how French authorities are using British money that is earmarked for preventing migrants from embarking on trips across the Channel.
Asked if the UK was looking to revise the financial contributions it gives France to help stem the flow of Channel crossings, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told LBC radio: 'That's precisely the point that the Home Secretary raised with her opposite number about what exactly the French were doing in return for this money.'
