The number of migrants crossing the English Channel has passed 25,000 as Labour government vows to ‘bust the gangs’

The new Labour government in the UK faces ongoing challenges in curbing the flow of illegal immigrants into the country, with figures showing a slight increase on last year, although they are significantly lower than in 2022.

Released: 24/09/2024 – 11:41

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The number of migrants arriving in the UK across the English Channel in small boats has exceeded 25,000 since the beginning of the year.

The provisional figures released on Monday come as the new Labour government – like the previous Conservative government – struggles to curb illegal cross-Channel arrivals.

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Some 717 migrants crossed the English Channel from northern France on Sunday, according to the Home Office, bringing the total number of arrivals since the start of 2024 to 25,052.

A similar number of people, 707, crossed the border on Saturday.

The total represents an increase of four per cent compared to the same period last year, but a decrease of 21 per cent compared to 2022.

Stopping small boats from reaching the south coast of England was a key issue in July’s UK general election.

“Break up the gangs”

Days after taking power, Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected a controversial Conservative bill to deport migrants to Rwanda.

Instead, Starmer promised to “bust out the gangs” of people smugglers who run the dangerous crossings and receive thousands of euros from each migrant.

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This year, 46 migrants have lost their lives trying to reach British shores in overloaded rubber dinghies.

Last month, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the government aims to achieve the highest rate of deportations of failed asylum seekers in five years in the next six months.