The UK has seen a record 1,194 migrants arrive in small boats from France on Saturday, the highest single-day figure so far this year. The Home Office reported that 18 boats brought the total number of migrant arrivals to 14,811 for the year, a 42% increase compared to the same period last year.
The surge in crossings has increased pressure on Labour leader Keir Starmer’s government, which has taken steps to strengthen its response to migration. The Prime Minister has vowed to crack down on smuggling gangs and business models that sustain their operations. He has also sought better intelligence-sharing with France and enhanced enforcement efforts in northern France.
French authorities rescued 184 people from the boats, while UK Defence Secretary John Healey described the scenes as “pretty shocking” due to the lack of intervention by French police. The UK is now pressing for France to implement new rules that would allow them to intercept smugglers at sea.
The UK-France cooperation has improved, with an agreement to change the way French authorities work, but the cross-Channel route remains a major smuggling corridor. Many migrants favor the UK due to its language, family ties, and perceived easier access to asylum and work. The Home Office reported that 36,816 people arrived in the UK on small boats last year, a 25% increase from 2023.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/britain-migrants-small-boats-france-english-channel-e92039de5c23d3dc9ad8f16ffa86b8fc