The UK has seen a surge in the number of migrants arriving after crossing the English Channel, reaching a new record for the first four months of the year. On Saturday alone, 656 people arrived in 11 small boats, bringing the total number of crossings in 2025 to 8,064 according to provisional Home Office figures. This surpasses the 7,567 people who crossed the Channel during the same period last year, which was already a record high at the time.
The government is taking steps to address this issue, with a Home Office spokesperson stating that they have a “serious credible plan to finally restore order to our asylum system” and are committed to dismantling the business models of people-smuggling gangs. Despite efforts to tackle the crisis, the number of arrivals continues to rise. In the first four months of 2023, there were 5,946 arrivals, followed by 6,691 in the same period in 2022.
The French Coastguard also played a role in rescuing migrants on Saturday, with 50 people being rescued from various boats at sea. The highest number of daily crossings was recorded on 3 September 2022, when 1,305 individuals crossed into the UK via small boats. The government has announced measures to combat people smuggling, including a new criminal offense of endangering lives at sea with a potential jail term of up to five years.
Despite these efforts, the Shadow Home Secretary has criticized the government’s response, labeling the situation as a “national disgrace.” He has accused the government of losing control of the borders and allowing criminal gangs to profit at the expense of taxpayers. The ongoing challenge of maritime arrivals underscores the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of migration and strengthen border security measures
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
