The UK has seen a record number of migrant Channel crossings in the first four months of 2025, with 8,064 arrivals already surpassing last year’s total of 7,567 for the same period. On Saturday alone, 656 people reached Britain in 11 small boats, marking the highest single-day total this year, though still below the peak of 1,305 recorded in September 2022.
The French Coastguard reported rescuing 50 migrants from distressed vessels on Saturday, with some refusing help and continuing their journey. The UK Home Office reiterated its commitment to cracking down on people-smuggling gangs, citing new measures such as a proposed five-year jail term for endangering lives at sea.
Opposition critics seized on the figures, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp calling them a “national disgrace” and accusing the government of losing control of borders. Labour countered by noting that over 8,000 crossings occurred during Philp’s tenure as immigration minister in 2021.
With crossings escalating, the political debate over border security intensifies as both sides trade blame over the crisis.
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