The UK has recorded over 150,000 small boat arrivals since 2018, according to Home Office data. This milestone was reached after at least 850 people made the dangerous journey across the English Channel on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Provisional figures show that 35,898 people crossed the Channel in 2023 alone, a 22% increase from last year, although still down from the record-breaking 45,774 crossings in 2022. The issue has reignited debates over border security and migration policies.
A Growing Crisis
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the Labour government for abandoning the Rwanda deportation plan proposed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Philp described the crossings as an “insult” and accused Labour of failing to implement deterrent measures.
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer pledged to address the crisis by dismantling people-smuggling gangs and enhancing international cooperation with European law enforcement agencies. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of targeting smugglers, stating that the UK would not rely on creating new safe and legal routes for asylum seekers as an alternative solution.
Rising Dangers for Migrants
The Channel crossing has become increasingly perilous, with 50 migrant deaths reported this year, making it the deadliest year since these smuggling routes began in 2018. The French coastguard and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) have highlighted the growing risks for those attempting the journey.
The number of crossings has steadily risen since 2018, when just 299 people were detected making the journey. The figures have climbed dramatically, reaching a peak in 2022, before declining slightly in 2023.
Government Response
The Home Office reiterated its commitment to dismantling people-smuggling networks and improving border security. A spokesperson stated, “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”
During a recent visit to Italy, Yvette Cooper met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss migration challenges and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on hotels for asylum seekers, citing their cost and inappropriateness.
Starmer has called for urgent action to prioritize the safety of migrants while addressing the root causes of the crossings. However, critics argue that years of inaction and policy changes have left the system in chaos.
