The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats has now passed 50,000 — meaning a migrant has been arriving every 11 minutes on average since the Labour government took office.
This huge figure highlights how Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to “smash the gangs” hasn’t yet made a dent in the crisis.
Record Numbers Crossing From Northern France Continue Unabated
Official data due to be released today confirms more than 50,000 migrants have made the perilous journey across the Channel since Sir Keir’s Labour government took power 401 days ago — a faster pace than the previous Conservative government managed over a longer period.
Images from northern France show migrants in lifejackets running into the sea toward overcrowded dinghies, and many arriving on the shores of Dover.
Labour Minister Calls Numbers Unacceptable but Blames Conservatives
Labour’s education minister, Baroness Jacqui Smith, described the milestone as “unacceptable” but blamed the Conservative government for letting criminal gangs get a strong foothold in the dangerous people-smuggling trade over recent years.
She stressed that Labour inherited a complex situation and that tackling the gangs is a tough job.
Tragic Death Highlights the Human Cost of Channel Crossings
Just this morning, a young woman attempting to board a boat from France tragically drowned after falling into the sea.
She is believed to be Somalian and is the 19th migrant to die trying to cross the Channel so far this year.
This heartbreaking event adds urgency to finding solutions.
Labour Scrapped Rwanda Scheme Early in Their Term
One of Labour’s first actions was to cancel the previous government’s controversial Rwanda deportation scheme, which had barely been implemented.
The government had spent hundreds of millions on the plan, designed to process asylum seekers outside the UK, but Labour claimed it was ineffective and costly.
New France Deal Has Yet to Stem Migrant Arrivals
Labour recently introduced a “one in, one out” deal with France, aiming to deport migrants back more quickly, but it has not slowed the record numbers.
Baroness Smith said the new deal is only the beginning of their efforts and placed some responsibility on former Conservative ministers for allowing criminal gangs to thrive across Europe.
Conservatives Criticize Labour for Soft Approach on Illegal Immigration
Meanwhile, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, visiting a community affected by asylum seeker hotel protests, accused Labour of being too lenient.
She emphasized that many arrivals are not genuine asylum seekers but people entering illegally, and argued for immediate deportations to deter illegal crossings.
Community Concerns Grow as Hotels Housing Asylum Seekers Become Flashpoints
Badenoch warned that communities like Epping are feeling unsafe due to the burden of hosting asylum seeker hotels and that some residents report harassment.
She suggested the government should consider other solutions, including possible camps, to better protect local communities.
Labour Faces Scrutiny Over Plans to Close Asylum Hotels
Labour has pledged to close asylum hotels by the end of this parliamentary term and move people into private accommodations, but critics say this could worsen tensions.
Badenoch also questioned Sir Keir’s commitment to deporting foreign criminals, citing his past opposition to deportation flights during the Conservative administration.
Deportations and Crime Remain Contentious Political Battleground
Labour announced plans to deport foreign criminals immediately upon sentencing to free up prison space, but Tory MPs remain skeptical due to previous Labour opposition to deportations.
They also expressed concerns about early prisoner releases under Labour leading to more criminals on the streets.
