English Channel migrant crossings hit record high

Nearly 20,000 migrants entered the United Kingdom during the first six months of this year via English Channel crossings in small boats, a 48-percent increase over the same period last year and a record for the first half of a year.

Official data released by the UK government on Monday revealed 19,982 individuals crossed the English Channel from France in makeshift vessels between Jan 1 and Monday, with 879 people documented on Monday alone — the third-highest single-day arrival count this year.

Additional vessel sightings on Tuesday pushed the total number of crossings beyond 20,000, establishing a record for the period from Jan 1 to July 1 since the government began tracking migrant crossings in 2018, reported Sky News.

A total of 13 vessels arrived on Monday carrying an average of 68 people each, though this falls short of both the 2025 high of 1,195 arrivals recorded on May 31, and the all-time record of 1,305 people set on Sept 3, 2022.

The surge has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government to address the crisis, with the issue becoming increasingly crucial for voters.

When the Labour Party came to power last year, Starmer promised to "smash the gangs" that are organizing the dangerous inflatable dinghy crossings through criminal smuggling operations.

According to the government, more than 24,000 individuals with no right to be in the UK have been deported since the administration took power in July 2024.

Home Office analysis notes that favorable weather conditions and evolving smuggling tactics have resulted in more people per vessel, which is contributing to the increase in arrivals.

The dangerous nature of the journey is highlighted by the number of deaths, with records showing 73 people lost their lives attempting the crossing during 2024.

Starmer recently expressed regret for a controversial and divisive comment he made in May in which he warned that the UK could become "an island of strangers" amid rising immigration.

In an interview with radio station LBC on Wednesday, Pat McFadden, a member of Starmer's Cabinet, acknowledged that ministers must "work harder" to address English Channel crossings, saying the government maintains its commitment to reduce migration numbers. But he stopped short of promising a reduction in figures by next year while admitting "everyone in government knows it's a big challenge".