Bill introduced to parliament includes new offences hoped to disrupt small boat crossings by targeting people smugglers

People seeking asylum on small boats who refuse to be rescued by the French authorities could receive sentences of up to five years under a new law meant to disrupt irregular Channel crossings.

A bill introduced to parliament will also allow people smugglers to be jailed for up to 14 years for handling small boat parts, and will strengthen police powers to seize laptops, financial assets and mobile phones from suspected smugglers.

Refugee Council says ‘many refugees themselves could also be prosecuted’ under proposals

Richard Madeley goes next.

Q: The Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary says you are wrong, and the third runway won’t be built until you are 70. You are 45 now. Why is he wrong?

We’re signing off decisions on wind farms, on solar farms, a commitment to a new stadium at Old Trafford. We are upgrading the Transpennine route to make journey times easier between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield. Those things are happening right now.