The UK government is preparing to introduce new measures in 2025 to address the growing migrant crisis, with a particular focus on reducing the number of people illegally crossing the English Channel to claim asylum. The Channel, a 34-kilometer-wide waterway separating the UK from France, has seen a record number of crossings this year, with at least 36,525 migrants entering the country.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been in office since July, is determined to address the issue, which has placed a significant strain on the UK’s infrastructure. Starmer, whose Labour Party won the election with a promise to tackle migrant smuggling gangs, has already taken steps to improve communication with international law enforcement agencies and has launched the UK’s Border Security Command. However, despite these efforts, the number of migrant crossings has increased by more than 20% compared to the same period in 2023, when the Conservative Party was in power, according to Migration Watch UK.
The rise in migrant crossings comes at a time when right-wing, anti-immigrant parties are gaining traction across Europe. This has made the issue even more pressing for the UK government, which is under pressure to find effective solutions to limit crossings that “threaten lives and undermine border security.” The crossings are incredibly dangerous, with the International Organization for Migration reporting that at least 77 migrants have died while attempting the journey this year alone.
The latest tragedy occurred on Sunday, when three migrants lost their lives while trying to cross the Channel from Sangatte, near Calais, France. Following the incident, Angela Eagle, Starmer’s minister for border security and asylum, stated that ruthless criminals running the small boat trade were overloading vessels, leading to the deaths. She also emphasized the UK’s continued support for French authorities, who are leading the response to the incident.
The Christmas period saw the busiest illegal crossings on record, with 1,485 people making the dangerous journey during a four-day window when sea conditions were calm and favorable. The recent fatalities highlight the risks involved, as many migrants attempt to board overcrowded boats. After the tragedy, Guy Allemand, the mayor of Sangatte, revealed that some of the 55 survivors required intensive care treatment at hospitals in Calais and Boulogne, with 45 people being treated on the beach for severe hypothermia.
French maritime services reported that several of the migrants who ended up in the water had tried to force their way onto an already overcrowded boat. Local official Jacques Billant explained that the number of people attempting to board the boat was likely too high for its capacity, causing chaos and panic. As a result, 58 people were left in the water, and the boat continued its journey towards the UK with fewer passengers.
With migrant crossings continuing at an alarming rate, the UK government faces growing pressure to take stronger action. As the death toll rises, the need for effective solutions to tackle the migrant crisis has never been more urgent.