The number of people illegally crossing the English Channel to the UK hit a record high in the first half of 2024, official figures published on Thursday August 22nd show.
The news follows publication of data showing how the Home Office in the final phase of the most recent Conservative Party government accepted record numbers of asylum applications.
A total of 13,489 migrants who arrived on small boats was recorded in the first six months of 2024—an 18% jump in the year-on-year figures—just prior to the election of a Labour government. In comparison, from January to June 2023, 11,433 migrants made the journey.
The latest figures show that by June this year, 81% of arrivals by people without legal permission to enter the UK came on small boats from mainland Europe. Six-month figures are useful because they bisect the British summer which, despite its dismal reputation, tends to bring milder weather in which to cross the English Channel. At other times of the year, the inclement conditions and increased danger tends to deter some people-trafficking activity—allowing governments to claim credit for any reduction in numbers arriving.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised to “smash the gangs” who arrange the smuggling, just as his hapless predecessor Rishi Sunak vowed to “Stop the Boats” from crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
In contrast to the period recording the highest figure ever for illegal boat crossings, the legal immigration figures for health workers and students entering the UK have fallen. Visas for health and ‘social care’ dropped by four fifths from April to June 2023, compared to the same period in 2023—prompting industry leaders in these sectors to cry foul.
Last December, Sunak’s government announced tighter visa regulations for the care and healthcare sectors and for students and their dependents, with one eye on the alleged abuses of these categories taking place.
The figures for the year to June show that Afghans comprise the single largest migrant group (18%), with Iranians (13%), Vietnamese (10%), Turks (10%), and Syrians (9%) making up the largest national cohorts.
