Small boat crossings top 18k in second highest week this year as Rishi Sunak faces mounting pressure over migrant crisis

Record high

Small boat crossings have reached a staggering 18,000 this year, making it the second busiest week for migrants attempting the dangerous journey to the UK. This week alone, 1,909 people arrived, putting pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to take stronger action to fulfill his promise of stopping the boats.

Increasing risk

Despite passing new laws to make it easier to ban those who reach the UK from staying, the number of crossings continues to rise. This is partly due to the calm seas and warmer weather, which have made this week a popular target for migrants.

Promises and concerns

In response to mounting pressure, Prime Minister Sunak refused to guarantee that he would be able to stop the boats before the next election. Since November 2020, approximately 25,000 people have successfully made the perilous journey.

Government response

While Downing Street argues that the numbers are lower compared to last year and that their plans to deter crossings are working, a recent report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warns that the cost of housing migrants in hotels could exceed £5 billion per year if the boats are not stopped.

Long-term challenges

The IPPR report also highlights concerns that the backlog of migrants needing accommodation and support could become a permanent issue. The crisis is anticipated to worsen by the next General Election, which must be held by January 2025.

Legal uncertainty

Furthermore, the policy of flying asylum-seekers to Rwanda for processing is currently on hold pending a court ruling on its legality. Even if the policy is approved and fully implemented, experts believe that arrivals will still outnumber removals, resulting in a growing population of people stuck in limbo.

Challenging task

Prime Minister Sunak acknowledged the difficulty of solving the issue overnight, stating that "we've got to put a stop to that." However, there are concerns about the dire and increasingly costly challenge that any future government will face in addressing the ongoing crisis.