Fastest milestone reached
More than 4,000 small-boats migrants have crossed to the UK already this year — the fastest the milestone has been reached. Yesterday even more landed here on the tenth straight day of arrivals.
Sharp increase in arrivals
Home Office figures showed that, as of Sunday, 4,131 illegal migrants had made the perilous Channel crossing since the start of January. The number is significantly higher than in previous years, with a 23% increase compared to the same point last year.
Government's response and criticism
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has criticized his counterpart Yvette Cooper and PM Sir Keir Starmer, calling them "weak." The Tories have demanded Labour reinstate the axed Rwanda plan as a deterrent. However, a Home Office spokesperson emphasized the government's commitment to ending dangerous small-boat crossings.
