Since 2018, small boat arrivals in the United Kingdom (UK) via the English Channel have reached more than 150,000.
According to official government figures, the total number of arrivals was 451 on Christmas Day alone.
A total of 11 boats made the journey, and more were expected to follow in the coming days.
These often perilous journeys have become a focal point in the UK’s immigration debate.
It has yet again prompted concerns over border security, humanitarian obligations, and organized crime.
The rising trend in seven years reflects the growing complexity of managing migration.
Political leaders and activists are divided over how best to address the issue.
Small boat arrivals: a rising trend
Small boat crossings have grown dramatically over the past seven years.
In 2018, only 299 people made the dangerous journey. In 2019, 1,843 crossings were recorded, with 8,466 in 2020.
However, by 2022, that figure had soared to 45,774, compared with the 28,526 recorded for the whole of 2021.
Although 2023 saw a decrease to 29,437 crossings, the numbers rebounded in 2024, with 35,898 migrants recorded as of December.
This represents a 22 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 but down the same percentage in 2022.
On Christmas Day this year alone, 451 people arrived in 11 small boats, followed by 407 more on Boxing Day.
These holiday arrivals pushed the total number of Channel crossings since 2018 beyond 150,000.
This year, about 50 people have died while trying to cross the Channel, according to French coastguard records.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has also reported several more migrant deaths believed to be linked to crossing attempts.
This makes 2024 more likely to be the deadliest year for crossings since the smuggling routes started in 2018.
Government response and promises
This new milestone comes after UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government has a moral obligation to address small boat arrivals.
“We must go after the criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people and putting lives at risk,” she said.
Cooper also highlighted plans to enhance border security and speed up the removal of those without legal rights to stay.
The National Crime Agency said it was leading about 70 live investigations into organized immigration crime or human trafficking.
The Home Secretary stressed that they are “determined to make progress” in tackling the asylum application backlogs, as per The Independent.
She said they are reducing reliance on “inappropriate and extremely costly” hotels to house asylum seekers.
The Labor administration has called for international cooperation to dismantle the smuggling networks enabling these dangerous crossings.
However, it did not commit to a specific deadline for when they expect the numbers to decrease “sharply.”
A government spokesperson said, “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.”
Criticism and opposing views
The current Labor Government blames the previous administration for the sharp rise in UK migration.
However, Conservatives have voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the government strategies, as per The Guardian.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called it “an insult” that Labour has allowed 858 small boat arrivals on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
He added that the rise in illegal crossings was “unacceptable,” stressing the need for stronger deterrents.
Philp suggested reviving the abandoned Rwanda relocation plan, which aimed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter small boat crossings.
“By scrapping the Rwanda deterrent before it started, Labour has let us down. We saw removals deterrents work in Australia,” Philp stated.
There have been more than 22,324 small boat arrivals since Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer took over Number 10 after the election in July.
He has since committed to bringing down smuggling gangs’ business models and increasing cooperation with other countries.
Starmer has also expressed an openness to paying other countries to help tackle illegal migration to the UK.
Role of smuggling gangs in small boat arrivals
Although the UK has seen a sharp rise in Channel crossings, its numbers remain lower than those reported in some European countries.
For instance, Italy recorded over 136,000 sea arrivals in 2023. Spain and Greece also face significant migration flows via the Mediterranean.
However, the UK’s unique geographical position presents distinct challenges, particularly in patrolling its maritime border.
One of the main drivers behind the crossings is the presence of organized smuggling networks.
These criminal groups exploit vulnerable migrants, using TikTok to advertise “package deals” that promise safe passage, housing, and jobs in the UK.
The Times reports that these deals can cost up to £12,000 per person and often involve overcrowded boats or hidden transport in lorries.
The UK Home Office has pledged to impose stricter penalties on smugglers and work with tech companies to remove online ads for illegal crossings.
Balancing border security and humanitarianism
The issue of small boat arrivals extends beyond border security and raises important questions about humanitarian obligations.
Many migrants undertake these dangerous journeys to escape war, persecution, and poverty.
However, the rising numbers have strained the UK’s asylum system, with a backlog of cases creating delays for those seeking safety.
Home Secretary Cooper acknowledged the need for a balanced approach.
“We need strong enforcement against illegal crossings, but we must also ensure that those with genuine claims are treated fairly,” she said.
Proposed strategies include more support for safe and legal migration routes and addressing the root causes of migration in origin countries.
Critics already argue that current policies are inadequate. Still, the full impact of new strategies will take more shape in the years to come.