In 2024, the number of irregular migrants crossing the Channel to the UK in small boats surged by 25%, government data revealed on Wednesday.
The figures show a significant increase, with 36,816 arrivals last year, up from 29,437 in 2023. However, the total still falls short of the record 45,774 migrants recorded in 2022.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to address the rising numbers. After taking office in July, Starmer vowed to tackle dangerous crossings and disrupt people smuggling networks.
During the election campaign, migration was a hot-button issue. Starmer’s Labour government replaced the controversial Conservative plan to send migrants to Rwanda, calling it a “gimmick” and “dead and buried.”
The UK has worked to combat the smuggling gangs, signing agreements with foreign nations like Germany and Belgium. In December, a joint action plan was launched to curb the illegal trade.
Starmer has labeled smuggling networks a “global security threat similar to terrorism,” underlining the severity of the crisis.
Afghan migrants made up 17% of arrivals in the first nine months of 2024, with Vietnam, Iran, and Syria following closely behind. Vietnamese migrants notably fueled the increase, rising from 5% in 2023 to 13% in 2024.
Despite these efforts, 2024 marks the second-highest year of arrivals since data collection began in 2018. Starmer is also facing pressure to control legal migration, as rising numbers from outside the EU add to the strain.
The surge comes in the wake of Brexit promises to regain control of borders. However, net migration continues to reach historically high levels, sparking debate on the future of UK immigration policy.