The perilous journey across the English Channel has seen over 200,000 migrants arrive in the UK by small boats since 2018, marking a grim milestone in migration history. This figure reached 200,013 as of last Friday, according to the latest Home Office data published on Saturday.
Rising Numbers and Increasing Boat Sizes
The Home Office began tracking small boat crossings in 2018. On Friday alone, 70 people made the dangerous Channel crossing, pushing this year’s total to 7,380. In 2025, around 41,000 migrants crossed via small boats—an increase of 13% compared to 2024.
Although this is fewer than the record 46,000 migrants who arrived in 2022, the average number of passengers per boat has surged dramatically. In 2018, boats carried an average of seven people; by 2025, that number skyrocketed to 62 passengers per vessel, amplifying the risks involved in each crossing.
Deadly Consequences of the Channel Crossing
The English Channel remains one of the world’s most treacherous migration routes. Since 2018, a staggering 162 people have lost their lives attempting the crossing. Last year alone, 24 confirmed deaths occurred during Channel crossings—a significant decline from the 73 fatalities recorded in 2024.
Tragically, just last week, a 16-year-old girl and a woman drowned while crossing from France in a small boat carrying approximately 82 people. Despite these heartbreaking incidents, the number of crossings in early 2026 remains lower than previous years, with arrivals down 36% compared to 2025 and 16% lower than in 2024 at the same time.
Government Measures to Curb Crossings
Successive UK governments have collaborated with French authorities to disrupt the dangerous crossings and revise asylum rules, aiming to deter migrants from attempting the perilous journey.
In April, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a £662 million, three-year agreement with France to enhance beach patrols and reduce Channel crossings. Mahmood is also pushing to reform the asylum system to discourage illegal entry and facilitate the deportation of those without legal rights to remain in the UK.
Political Context of the Crossings
Since July 2024, when Labour assumed power, just over a third of all migrants—72,094 individuals—have made the crossing. The remaining 127,919 crossings occurred under four Conservative prime ministers: Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.
