More than 150,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel to reach the UK since 2018, according to official figures analyzed by the PA news agency.
This milestone was reached on Boxing Day when 407 individuals made the journey in 10 boats, bringing the total to 150,243. An additional 450 migrants crossed on Christmas Day in 11 boats.
The rising number of crossings has drawn attention to the UK government’s handling of migration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, during a visit to Italy, emphasized the moral responsibility to tackle Channel crossings and pledged to target the criminal gangs facilitating them. However, she refrained from setting a deadline to significantly reduce the crossings.
Cooper ruled out expanding safe and legal routes for asylum seekers, insisting on prioritizing efforts to dismantle smuggling operations. “While the UK must do its part, addressing the gangs behind these crossings remains critical,” she stated.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also made international collaboration central to his approach, focusing on law enforcement partnerships across Europe. Since his Labour government took office in July, over 22,324 migrants have crossed the Channel.
Starmer criticized previous policies, such as the Rwanda relocation initiative, for failing to address the root causes of illegal migration. He vowed to treat people smugglers like terrorists and pledged additional funding for border security.
Despite these efforts, crossings have surged, with 35,898 migrants arriving in 2024, up 22% from last year. This year has also been the deadliest, with 50 recorded deaths during crossing attempts, according to French coastguard data.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) reports ongoing investigations into organized immigration crime and human trafficking, with around 70 live cases currently underway.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has flagged several additional deaths linked to Channel crossings in 2024, underscoring the perilous nature of these journeys.
Since 2018, when just 299 migrants were detected, the number of crossings has steadily increased, highlighting the growing urgency of the crisis.
