The sanctions, designed to disrupt the flow of money, are thought to be the world's first to specifically target people smugglers. Sir Keir Starmer said the move would hamper "illicit finance rings allowing smugglers to traffic vulnerable people across Europe".

Britain will create a new sanctions regime to target the leaders of networks that smuggle tens of thousands of people into Britain each year, as well as the often-Chinese makers of the boats and motors they use,

Britain says it will impose sanctions on members of people-smuggling gangs who send migrants crossing the English Channel to the U.K. in flimsy boats

Keir Starmer plans to set up a sanctions regime targeting people smugglers as the UK prime minister seeks to deliver on an electoral pledge to “smash the gangs” helping asylum seekers enter the country via irregular routes.