As headlines and rows about the Government's asylum policy rumble on, let's start with an obvious statement: no one wants people risking life and limb during small boat crossings of the Channel, giving huge amounts of cash to criminal gangs for the privilege.

By making tackling small boat numbers one of his top five priorities for the year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak offered up an easily measured pledge while appearing to pander to his backbenches and the right wing of his party.