More than 200,000 people have now crossed Channel in small boats

"The total number of migrants and refugees that have arrived in the UK by small boats has surpassed 200,000 since records began in 2018. The latest Home Office figures confirmed 70 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Friday, bringing the total number of arrivals over the 200,000 milestone in the last nine years."

"The figures will serve a blow to Sir Keir Starmer's government, which has repeatedly pledged to take strong action to tackle people smuggling gangs and reduce the number of people making the dangerous crossing since coming to office. Despite efforts, crossings in the Channel have soared, with some 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025."

"This was up from 36,816 people in 2024, and 29,437 in 2023. The peak number of crossings was in 2022, when around 46,000 made the journey to the UK. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent, from a Border Security Command vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (PA) Two women died while trying to cross the Channel last Sunday following"

The total number of migrants and refugees arriving in the UK by small boats has exceeded 200,000 since records began in 2018. Home Office figures report 70 people crossed the English Channel on Friday, pushing the nine-year total past the milestone. The increase is a setback for the UK government, which has pledged stronger action against people smuggling gangs and to reduce dangerous crossings. Crossings have risen despite efforts, reaching 41,472 arrivals in 2025 compared with 36,816 in 2024 and 29,437 in 2023. The highest level occurred in 2022, when around 46,000 people made the journey. Two women died while attempting to cross the Channel last Sunday.

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