The number of migrants crossing the English Channel reached its highest point so far this year, with nearly 1,200 people arriving in small boats from France on Saturday. According to the UK Home Office, 1,194 people made the journey in 18 boats during calm weather conditions.
This surge has brought the total number of crossings in 2025 to 14,811, marking a 42% rise compared to the same period in 2024. The increase has added more pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government, which has now been in office for nearly a year.
The Labour Party came to power after public frustration with the Conservative government, which had promised but failed to reduce Channel crossings. Upon taking office, Labour cancelled the controversial Rwanda deportation plan introduced by the Conservatives.
Instead, the new government has focused on breaking up the people smuggling networks that support illegal migration. Their strategy includes better intelligence sharing with international partners and stricter immigration rules.
Despite these efforts, the Channel remains a key route for migrants escaping war, conflict, or poverty. Many of them head to the UK because of family connections, the English language, or the belief that it is easier to get asylum and work there.
Footage recorded on Saturday showed French police watching as migrants launched boats from the beaches of Gravelines, located between Calais and Dunkirk. The French authorities later confirmed they had rescued 184 people during the crossings.
Defence Secretary John Healey called the scenes “pretty shocking” and highlighted that French police still cannot intervene in shallow waters. He said this remains a major issue but added that cooperation between France and the UK has improved in recent months.
According to Home Office data, 36,816 people crossed the Channel in small boats during 2024, up 25% from the year before. However, the peak year for arrivals was still 2022, when 45,774 migrants used this dangerous route to reach the UK.