The number of small boat migrants who have crossed the Channel so far this year has passed the total for the whole of 2024. Sources said the figure for 2025 has now exceeded 36,816, which was the total number of arrivals in 2024.
It is a fresh blow to Sir Keir Starmer, who pledged to “smash the gangs”, as he struggles to get a grip on the issue. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The previous government left our borders in crisis, and we are still living with the consequences. These figures are shameful – the British people deserve better.
“This Government is taking action. We have detained and removed more than 35,000 who were here illegally. Our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back.
“But it is clear we must go further and faster – removing more of those here illegally, and stopping migrants from making small boat crossings in the first place.
“And I have been clear: I will do whatever it takes to restore order to our border.”
It comes after it emerged that a migrant who was deported to France under the “one-in, one-out” deal has re-entered the UK on a small boat in fresh embarrassment for the Prime Minister.
The man has been detained and the Home Office intends to send him back to France again, it is understood.
He told the Guardian he was a victim of modern slavery at the hands of smugglers in northern France.
The man said: “If I had felt that France was safe for me I would never have returned to the UK.
“When we were returned to France we were taken to a shelter in Paris. I didn’t dare to go out because I was afraid for my life. The smugglers are very dangerous. They always carry weapons and knives. I fell into the trap of a human trafficking network in the forests of France before I crossed to the UK from France the first time.
“They took me like a worthless object, forced me to work, abused me, and threatened me with a gun and told me I would be killed if I made the slightest protest.
“Every day and every night I was filled with terror and stress. Every day I live in fear and anxiety, every loud noise, every shadow, every strange face scares me.
“When I reached UK the first time and Home Office asked what had happened to me I was crying and couldn’t speak about this because of shame.”
The returns deal struck between the Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year is aimed at dettering people from making the dangerous Channel crossing.
It means small boat migrants can be detained and returned to France, in exchange for an equivalent number of people who applied through a safe and legal route.
