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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Migrants: Ninety people cross Channel on Christmas Day | Migrants: Ninety people cross Channel on Christmas Day |
| (3 months later) | |
| A lifeboat returns to the Port of Dover during a rescue operation earlier this month | A lifeboat returns to the Port of Dover during a rescue operation earlier this month |
| Ninety people crossed the English Channel in two small boats on Christmas Day, the Ministry of Defence said. | Ninety people crossed the English Channel in two small boats on Christmas Day, the Ministry of Defence said. |
| More than 45,000 migrants have made the perilous crossing from France to England so far this year. In 2021, the figure was far less, at almost 28,500. | More than 45,000 migrants have made the perilous crossing from France to England so far this year. In 2021, the figure was far less, at almost 28,500. |
| On 14 December, four people died and 39 others were rescued after a migrant boat ran into difficulties. | On 14 December, four people died and 39 others were rescued after a migrant boat ran into difficulties. |
| Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has labelled the small boats crisis a priority for his premiership. | Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has labelled the small boats crisis a priority for his premiership. |
| The 90 people who arrived on Sunday were taken to Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover, the ministry confirmed. | The 90 people who arrived on Sunday were taken to Western Jet Foil processing centre in Dover, the ministry confirmed. |
| A government spokesperson said: "Nobody should put their lives at risk by taking dangerous and illegal journeys. | A government spokesperson said: "Nobody should put their lives at risk by taking dangerous and illegal journeys. |
| "We will go further to tackle the gangs driving this, using every tool at our disposal to deter illegal migration and disrupt the business model of people smugglers.'' | "We will go further to tackle the gangs driving this, using every tool at our disposal to deter illegal migration and disrupt the business model of people smugglers.'' |
| Earlier this month, Mr Sunak announced a range of measures to tackle the issue including 700 staff for a new unit to monitor small boats crossing the Channel. | Earlier this month, Mr Sunak announced a range of measures to tackle the issue including 700 staff for a new unit to monitor small boats crossing the Channel. |
| He also promised more staff to help clear some of the UK's backlog of asylum cases by the end of next year. | He also promised more staff to help clear some of the UK's backlog of asylum cases by the end of next year. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| France | France |
| England | |
| Migration | Migration |