English Channel Crossings: More than 15,000 illegal immigrants use small boat to reach UK since 2018

The ruling Labour Party of Britain has blamed the opposition Tories of an apparent “appalling legacy of border security” after figures suggested that more than 150,000 illegal immigrants reached the country on small boats since 2018.

Home Office figures recently confirmed that at least 850 people landed in small boats on Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26). Photographs suggested scores of more people had made the crossing on Friday.

British politician Chris Philip noted in a post on X that “it is an insult” that Labour has let 858 illegal immigrants into the UK on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Crossings are up more than 20% since the election, he noted.

Deadliest year on record for English Channel crossings

MP Philip also highlighted the importance of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to send people reaching the UK through illegal routes to other countries deemed ‘safe’. Such a plan had generated quite a lot of criticism.

On Sunday at about 6 am, a small boat trying to cross from France to the UK ran into trouble near Blériot-Plage, a public beach in Sangatte close to the French Channel port of Calais. Three people died in the incident and 48 others are rescued.

The deaths mark the deadliest year on record for perilous English Channel crossings. Incumbent UK PM Keir Starmer has said he plans to tackle the issue of small boats by “smashing the gangs” that operate the people-smuggling routes.

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