A debate about immigration statistics is grabbing headlines in the UK after a Labour minister made a disputed claim about who’s really arriving across the Channel.
The row has thrown light on the ongoing migrant crisis, political spin, and the increasingly tense back-and-forth between parties as numbers surge in 2025.
Labour Minister’s Comment on Migrants Sparks Uproar
During a live episode of Question Time, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones made a bold claim: that most of the people arriving in small boats were women and children.
The audience—and online viewers—reacted quickly, prompting Jones to “clarify” that he was only referring to one specific boat he had visited.
But by then, the damage was done. Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf, who recently resigned and reappeared in a new role just days later, jumped in, saying over 90% of arrivals are adult men—another statement that also turned out to be incorrect.
The Real Numbers Tell a Different Story
According to the Home Office, the actual figure is 73% adult males.
That translates to 26,999 of the 36,816 people who arrived in small boats in 2024.
So while both politicians stretched the truth, it’s clear that most migrants making the dangerous crossing from France are indeed men—but not quite to the exaggerated levels Yusuf claimed.
Friday saw another major wave of crossings, with 919 people reaching UK shores in just 14 boats.
That brings this year’s total to 16,183 so far—already a massive 42% increase compared to this time last year, and nearly 80% higher than in 2023.
More Arrivals Continue as Political Reactions Escalate
On Saturday, even more migrants were seen arriving in Dover.
One man had to be wheeled off in a wheelchair, exhausted from the dangerous journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Back on Question Time, Jones doubled down, defending his comments by sharing a story about meeting a group of migrants—mostly women and children—who suffered skin burns from oil mixed with seawater.
He challenged the audience, saying: “Look at those babies and children and say ‘go back’.”
Yusuf was having none of it. He insisted that most migrants are “military-age men” and claimed the UK government puts migrants ahead of struggling British citizens.
He also reignited frustrations around asylum seekers being placed in hotels and HMOs (houses in multiple occupation), particularly in deprived communities.
Jones Clarifies Again Amid Social Media Storm
Later that evening, Jones took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify further.
He admitted that most small boat arrivals are men but pushed back against the 90% figure Yusuf cited.
He explained his original statement was about a specific case involving women and children arriving in one boat—and that his words were being misrepresented.
He added that Labour has recently committed new funding to border security, while accusing Reform of voting against giving law enforcement more power to take on people-smuggling gangs.
Labour’s Pledge to Move Migrants Out of Hotels by 2029
In the background of this political sparring, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has promised to stop housing asylum seekers in hotels by the time of the next election in 2029.
Her plan includes speeding up the asylum process to save £1 billion and investing £280 million annually into a new Border Security Command.
Still, critics from the Conservative side pointed out that the fine print in Labour’s spending plans still sets aside £2.5 billion per year for asylum support.
As of now, over 30,000 asylum seekers live in 200 hotels across the UK—many of whom arrived on small boats.
French Police Respond Forcefully as Migrants Attempt Crossings
Meanwhile, dramatic images out of northern France show just how volatile the situation remains.
French police were seen using tear gas and pepper spray to break up crowds of migrants trying to board boats bound for Britain.
Some officers even entered the water to drag people back ashore—though many still managed to make the crossing.
The French government has long resisted calls from the UK to turn migrants back once they’re in the water, a sticking point in the ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
2025 Already on Track to Be a Record Year for Crossings
This year is shaping up to be the worst yet for illegal Channel crossings.
As of now, 14,812 migrants have arrived—surpassing last year’s half-year total well ahead of schedule.
In 2024, the UK didn’t hit that figure until July 9.
Since coming into power in July 2024, the government has stepped up its efforts to combat human trafficking, including beefed-up patrols along the French coast, a new intelligence unit in Dunkirk, and the creation of a Border Security Command.
Tories Hit Back at Labour’s ‘Fairytale’ View
Tory MP Chris Philp slammed Jones, saying Labour is “out of touch with reality.”
He pointed out that most arrivals are single men, and accused Labour of downplaying the scale of the crisis.
The Government remains committed to its “smash the gangs” strategy, with hopes that tougher laws, greater intelligence sharing, and more funding will help shut down the trafficking networks.
Still, critics argue none of it will work unless migrants are deterred from risking the journey in the first place.
Prime Minister Stands By Jones Amid Fallout
Despite the backlash, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson stood by Jones, refusing to comment on the specifics of his claim but emphasizing that the government’s focus is on targeting the gangs profiting from human misery.
Meanwhile, a Home Office spokesperson echoed this sentiment, stressing that they are determined to end the dangerous crossings and invest heavily in strategies to break up smuggling networks at every level.