Channel Crossings Surge: Over 20,000 Migrants Arrive Since Labour Took Office
In the five months since Labour’s election victory in July, more than 20,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats, highlighting the ongoing challenges of illegal immigration for Sir Keir Starmer’s government.
Latest official figures reveal 20,110 people have arrived by small boats since 5 July, compared to 17,020 during the same period last year. While the current numbers are lower than the record-breaking 31,264 crossings in 2022, they represent a significant increase from the previous year.
The spike in crossings is particularly notable in October, with Home Office sources attributing this to more favorable sea conditions. On a single Sunday, 122 people arrived in two small boats, underscoring the continued frequency of these crossings.
Labour has taken a different approach to addressing illegal migration compared to the previous government. The party has abandoned the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme, which they previously criticized as an expensive “gimmick” that would not effectively deter asylum seekers. No migrants were ever sent to Rwanda under the previous policy.
Instead, the current government is focusing on alternative strategies to reduce channel crossings:
1. Targeting People Smuggling Gangs
– Seeking to give police more extensive powers to combat smuggling networks
– Increasing international law enforcement cooperation
– Recently struck a deal with Iraq to improve border security and intelligence sharing
2. Proposed Legislative Measures
– Exploring the use of counter-terror powers to search suspected smugglers
– Aiming to restrict smugglers’ internet and travel access
– Proposing “live monitoring” of smugglers’ financial accounts
However, the proposed legislation is still in development and will take months to pass through Parliament. This delay has drawn criticism from opposition figures like Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who described the government’s approach as “weak and vacuous” and called for the reinstatement of the Rwanda policy.
Privately, government ministers acknowledge that effectively managing irregular migration is crucial to maintaining public confidence. The continued high number of channel crossings presents a significant political challenge for the Labour government.
The current crossing numbers are comparable to those seen in similar periods in recent years. For context, 20,839 migrants crossed between July and November 2021, making the current figures consistent with recent migration trends.
As the government develops its strategy to address channel crossings, the effectiveness of its approach remains to be seen. The balance between humanitarian considerations and border control continues to be a complex and politically sensitive issue.
