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How many people cross the Channel in small boats and where do they come from? How many people cross the Channel in small boats and where do they come from?
(21 days later)
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed a deal to send some migrants who cross the Channel on small boats back to France. More than 25,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of the year, official figures show.
For every migrant sent back, France would send an asylum seeker to the UK - potentially one with a family connection to Britain. A deal was struck earlier in July between UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to send some migrants who arrive on small boats back to France.
For every migrant returned, France would send an asylum seeker to the UK - potentially one with a family connection to Britain.
How many people cross the Channel in small boats?How many people cross the Channel in small boats?
As at 6 July, 21,117 migrants had crossed the Channel in small boats since the start of the year - a 56% increase on the same period in 2024. As of 30 July, 25,436 migrants had crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025.
It is the first time the 25,000 threshold has been reached in July since records began in 2018. In previous years, the earliest date this had happened was 27 August, in 2022.
In 2024 as a whole, nearly 37,000 people were detected making the crossing - 25% more than in 2023.In 2024 as a whole, nearly 37,000 people were detected making the crossing - 25% more than in 2023.
The highest yearly total is for 2022, when 45,755 people arrived. The highest yearly total was recorded in 2022, when 45,755 people arrived.
More than 170,000 people have arrived in small boats since figures were first recorded in 2018.More than 170,000 people have arrived in small boats since figures were first recorded in 2018.
Channel migrants undeterred by new crackdown A decade of small boat migrants: How did it begin?
'Taxi boats' pick up migrants in waist-deep water Record number of lone children on small boats
What is the government doing to reduce small boat crossings?What is the government doing to reduce small boat crossings?
Number 10 wants to work more closely with France to reduce crossings.Number 10 wants to work more closely with France to reduce crossings.
The "one in, one out" deal could see about 50 migrants a week sent each way in the initial pilot, though the PM is not confirming numbers. The "one in, one out" deal could see about 50 migrants a week sent each way in the initial pilot, though the PM would not confirm numbers.
However critics - including the Conservatives - point out this would be a tiny proportion of those currently crossing. They question whether the scheme would deter migrants, even if the pilot was scaled up. However critics - including the Conservatives - pointed out this would be a tiny proportion of those currently crossing. They question whether the scheme would deter migrants, even if the pilot was scaled up.
Speaking in the UK Parliament ahead of Thursday's talks, Macron said the UK and France had "a shared responsibility to address irregular migration". Speaking in the UK Parliament before the deal was agreed, President Macron said the UK and France had "a shared responsibility to address irregular migration".
He said France was "stepping up" its efforts but warned wider EU support was essential. France was "stepping up" its efforts, he added, but he also warned that wider EU support was essential.
In 2023, the previous Conservative government agreed to give France almost £500m over three years to pay for extra officers to help stop migrants.In 2023, the previous Conservative government agreed to give France almost £500m over three years to pay for extra officers to help stop migrants.
The current Labour government also wants French police to intercept so-called taxi boats in shallow waters. These cruise along the coastline, picking up people waiting in the sea.The current Labour government also wants French police to intercept so-called taxi boats in shallow waters. These cruise along the coastline, picking up people waiting in the sea.
BBC on French beach as police slash migrant 'taxi-boat'BBC on French beach as police slash migrant 'taxi-boat'
Why do Channel migrants want to come to the UK?Why do Channel migrants want to come to the UK?
Under existing Home office proposals, suspected people smugglers will face travel bans, social media blackouts and phone restrictions. Under existing Home office proposals, suspected people smugglers also face travel bans, social media blackouts and phone restrictions.
A new offence of endangering lives at sea will carry a jail term of up to five years. Those convicted of acts in preparation for smuggling - such as buying boat parts - face up to 14 years in prison. On 23 July, the government announced that 25 people including gang leaders and small boat suppliers had had their assets frozen and been banned from travelling to the UK.
The government has also toughened up rules to make it almost impossible for anyone who arrives in the UK on a small boat to become a British citizen.The government has also toughened up rules to make it almost impossible for anyone who arrives in the UK on a small boat to become a British citizen.
Previously, refugees who entered this way could apply for citizenship after 10 years. The Refugee Council estimates at least 71,000 people will be affected. Previously, refugees who entered this way could apply for UK citizenship after 10 years. The Refugee Council estimates at least 71,000 people will be affected.
Any offender sentenced to more than a year in prison can currently be refused asylum and deported under the Refugee Convention.Any offender sentenced to more than a year in prison can currently be refused asylum and deported under the Refugee Convention.
The government wants to extend this to include any asylum seeker convicted of sexual offences.The government wants to extend this to include any asylum seeker convicted of sexual offences.
Ministers are also spending £150m to establish a new Border Security Command, to lead on efforts to tackle the issue.Ministers are also spending £150m to establish a new Border Security Command, to lead on efforts to tackle the issue.
Current shadow home secretary Chris Philp blamed the recent increase in crossings on Labour "tearing up" the Conservatives' plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp blamed the recent increase in crossings on Labour "tearing up" the Conservatives' plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
"This is the worst year on record, and it's become a free-for-all," he added."This is the worst year on record, and it's become a free-for-all," he added.
Is the government meeting its pledges on illegal immigration and asylum?Is the government meeting its pledges on illegal immigration and asylum?
How many people die crossing the Channel?How many people die crossing the Channel?
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, tracks the number of people who die attempting to cross the Channel.The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, tracks the number of people who die attempting to cross the Channel.
Its figures include people who were travelling to a crossing point and died in other circumstances, such as car crashes or because of medical issues.Its figures include people who were travelling to a crossing point and died in other circumstances, such as car crashes or because of medical issues.
The IOM estimates that at least 82 migrants died in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record.The IOM estimates that at least 82 migrants died in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record.
At the end of June it said that at least 18 people had died on this route in 2025. That takes the total number of migrants who have lost their lives since 2018 to 247.At the end of June it said that at least 18 people had died on this route in 2025. That takes the total number of migrants who have lost their lives since 2018 to 247.
The Refugee Council has said that the dangers of crossings have increased, with more people crammed into less seaworthy boats.The Refugee Council has said that the dangers of crossings have increased, with more people crammed into less seaworthy boats.
Migrant dies in English Channel crossing attempt Man dies crossing English Channel
'Death trap' Channel boats traded by smugglers in German city RNLI crew defends 'compassionate' migrant rescues
Who is crossing the Channel in small boats?Who is crossing the Channel in small boats?
Afghans were the top nationality arriving by small boat in the year to March 2025, according to Home Office figures.Afghans were the top nationality arriving by small boat in the year to March 2025, according to Home Office figures.
Syrians made up the second largest group, followed by people from Iran, Vietnam and Eritrea.Syrians made up the second largest group, followed by people from Iran, Vietnam and Eritrea.
These five nationalities accounted for 61% of all arrivals.These five nationalities accounted for 61% of all arrivals.
In 2024, almost one third of the 108,000 people who claimed asylum in the UK arrived on a small boat.In 2024, almost one third of the 108,000 people who claimed asylum in the UK arrived on a small boat.
The Home Office can remove people with no legal right to stay in the UK, or refuse to let them enter.The Home Office can remove people with no legal right to stay in the UK, or refuse to let them enter.
Between 2018 and December 2024, 4,995 people who came to the UK in small boats were returned to their home country - about 3% of the total.Between 2018 and December 2024, 4,995 people who came to the UK in small boats were returned to their home country - about 3% of the total.
Smuggler reveals operation to help Vietnamese reach UKSmuggler reveals operation to help Vietnamese reach UK
People smuggler advertised Channel boat crossings on FacebookPeople smuggler advertised Channel boat crossings on Facebook
How do UK small boat arrivals compare with those to Europe?How do UK small boat arrivals compare with those to Europe?
There were more than 180,000 arrivals by sea in Europe during 2024, with Italy receiving more than a third.There were more than 180,000 arrivals by sea in Europe during 2024, with Italy receiving more than a third.
Greece and Spain also received large numbers.Greece and Spain also received large numbers.
In the year ending September 2024, 1.1 million people claimed asylum in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), down 3% compared with the previous year.In the year ending September 2024, 1.1 million people claimed asylum in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), down 3% compared with the previous year.
Germany received the most applicants - 294,415. France was second (162,390) followed by Italy (162,305) and Spain (161,470).Germany received the most applicants - 294,415. France was second (162,390) followed by Italy (162,305) and Spain (161,470).