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Channel crossings to hit 50,000 since Labour came to power Channel crossings to hit 50,000 since Labour came to power
(about 2 hours later)
The number of migrants to cross the English Channel in small boats since Labour came to power last summer is expected to have reached 50,000.The number of migrants to cross the English Channel in small boats since Labour came to power last summer is expected to have reached 50,000.
Home Office data shows 49,797 people had arrived as of Sunday, with Monday's total due to be released later. Home Office data shows 49,797 people had made the journey as of Sunday, with Monday's total due to be released later.
Government minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told the BBC this was an "unacceptable number of people" but pointed to the "one in, one out" returns deal with France as a deterrent. Government minister Baroness Smith told the BBC this was an "unacceptable number of people" but pointed to the "one in, one out" returns deal with France as a deterrent.
But the Conservative Party said the migrant crossing totals showed Labour had "surrendered our borders".But the Conservative Party said the migrant crossing totals showed Labour had "surrendered our borders".
The latest figures come as ministers continue to grapple with how to effectively crack down on people-smuggling gangs - a key pledge of Sir Keir Starmer's when he became prime minister. The latest figures come as ministers continue to grapple with how to crack down on people-smuggling gangs – a key pledge of Sir Keir Starmer's when he became prime minister.
Baroness Smith told BBC Breakfast: "We understand how concerning this is to people." Baroness Smith said: "We understand how concerning this is to people."
She said the migrant crossing figures showed people-smuggling gangs had taken an "absolute foothold in the tragic trafficking of people" in recent years. She added that the migrant crossing figures showed people-smuggling gangs had taken an "absolute foothold in the tragic trafficking of people" in recent years but the government was now "making progress" on tackling this.
But the minister added the government was "making progress" on tackling people smuggling, and people had already been detained under the UK's "ground-breaking agreement" with France.
The "one in, one out" pilot will see the UK return some migrants to France in exchange for receiving the same number of asylum seekers who are believed to have legitimate claims.The "one in, one out" pilot will see the UK return some migrants to France in exchange for receiving the same number of asylum seekers who are believed to have legitimate claims.
Last week, a government source told the BBC several dozen migrants had been detained under the UK's new agreement with France so far, but did not provide a specific number.
The first returns are due to happen within weeks - but the initial numbers are expected to be small.The first returns are due to happen within weeks - but the initial numbers are expected to be small.
The 50,000 figure will cover 5 July 2024, when Labour came to power, to 11 August this year. Figures released on Tuesday are expected to confirm that the number of small boat crossings from the date that Labour came to power on 5 July last year had reached 50,000 by Monday, 11 August.
Between 5 July 2023 and 11 August 2024, during which time the Conservatives were in power for the most part, there were 36,346 migrant crossings in small boats. This is more than 13,000 higher than for the same period a year earlier - as between 5 July 2023 and 11 August 2024 there were 36,346 migrant crossings in small boats.
A number of factors affect crossing totals, including where weather conditions are more favourable for attempts. Government sources highlighted that this is not the first time 50,000 people have crossed the Channel during a 403-day period.
Between 8 October 2021 and 14 November 2022, under the previous Conservative government, there were 53,587 arrivals by small boat.
Government sources say there were an unusually high number of days with calm and warm weather at the start of this year, which partially contributed to the high number of crossings.
But the Tories accused Labour of overseeing the "worst illegal immigration crisis in our history".But the Tories accused Labour of overseeing the "worst illegal immigration crisis in our history".
"This is a taxpayer-funded ferry service for the people-smuggling trade. Every illegal immigrant should be removed immediately upon arrival," said shadow home secretary Chris Philp."This is a taxpayer-funded ferry service for the people-smuggling trade. Every illegal immigrant should be removed immediately upon arrival," said shadow home secretary Chris Philp.
The Home Office said it wants to "end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security". Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "As I predicted five years ago, unless we deport illegal migrants the invasion will be huge. 50,000 since this weak prime minister took office and there is no sign of it stopping."
The government has made a number of announcements on illegal immigration recently amid increasing political pressure over the issue. The Home Office said it wants to end dangerous small boat crossings and had put together a "serious plan" to take down networks.
Baroness Smith said the Borders Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, would give ministers greater powers to "challenge the gangs". But politically the 50,000 milestone is deeply uncomfortable for the government, given its promise to smash the gangs that drive the small boat crossings.
More migrants crossed the Channel between January and August 2025 than in the same period last year.
Government sources argue there is no silver bullet to bring the numbers down but insist a series of practical changes, such as measures to tackle illegal working and deport foreign criminals more quickly, are planks in a wider plan to address the problem.
Baroness Smith said the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is going through Parliament, would give ministers greater powers to "challenge the gangs".
Other measures announced include prison sentences of up to five years for criminals advertising illegal Channel crossings online, and increased funding for more National Crime Agency officers.Other measures announced include prison sentences of up to five years for criminals advertising illegal Channel crossings online, and increased funding for more National Crime Agency officers.
The moves come in the wake of a series of protests and counter demonstrations outside UK hotels which are used to house asylum seekers. Asked about the Tories' suggestion that only a very small number of people will be deported under the "one in, one out" pilot scheme, Baroness Smith said the previous Conservative government's Rwanda deportation scheme "cost £700m and was never designed for more than six people a week".
The latest moves also come in the wake of a series of protests and counter demonstrations outside UK hotels which are used to house asylum seekers.
"People do not cross the Channel unless what lies behind them is more terrifying than what lies ahead," said Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council charity."People do not cross the Channel unless what lies behind them is more terrifying than what lies ahead," said Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council charity.
The charity's frontline workers say the men, women and children travelling in small boats are "often fleeing places like Sudan, where war has left them with nowhere else to turn", he added.The charity's frontline workers say the men, women and children travelling in small boats are "often fleeing places like Sudan, where war has left them with nowhere else to turn", he added.
"To stop smugglers for good, the government must expand safe and legal routes, such as allowing family members to travel to be with their loved ones who are already settled in the UK," he said."To stop smugglers for good, the government must expand safe and legal routes, such as allowing family members to travel to be with their loved ones who are already settled in the UK," he said.
"Without these measures, desperate people will continue to take dangerous journeys, and the criminal gangs are likely to simply adapt their approaches.""Without these measures, desperate people will continue to take dangerous journeys, and the criminal gangs are likely to simply adapt their approaches."